The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“INTRODUCTION OF THE PUGET SOUND RECOVERY ACT OF 2009” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2729 on Nov. 5, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF THE PUGET SOUND RECOVERY ACT OF 2009
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HON. NORMAN D. DICKS
of washington
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Mr. DICKS. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Puget Sound Recovery Act of 2009.
One of the iconic physical features of my home state is Puget Sound. It is a keystone of our identity in Washington State. In a region known for its beauty, Puget Sound is beyond comparison.
But the postcard image of Puget Sound belies the fact that it is in decline. Over the last 20 years we have seen increasing signs that water quality is deteriorating. We are experiencing low-oxygen zones in a growing number of areas within Puget Sound. Many of our most cherished aquatic species are in trouble with salmon and Orcas listed under the Endangered Species Act. At this point, nearly three-quarters of our original estuaries and wetlands are gone. And as a toxic remnant of its more industrialized past, the bottom of the Sound has many thousands of acres of extreme contamination.
Even with this decline, the Sound remains a natural wonder, and my legislation will provide an increased Federal role to reverse the deterioration. Its 2,800 square miles of inland marine waters makes Puget Sound the Nation's second largest estuary after Chesapeake Bay. There is a strong marine and natural resource industry. The bounty of the Sound includes several hundred fish species, plentiful shellfish and shrimp, 25 different marine mammals and 100 different species of sea birds.
Several years ago, the State of Washington led by Governor Gregoire recognized the dire condition of Puget Sound. In response, the Puget Sound Partnership was set up to lead the state effort to restore the Sound. The Partnership developed the Puget Sound Action Agenda which was recently approved by the EPA as the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan. This Action Agenda will serve as the blueprint that local and state government, Tribes, and federal agencies will follow in this cooperative effort to restore Puget Sound. In tandem with these efforts occurring in Washington State, the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee which I chair has approved increasing amounts of funding for Puget Sound in the annual EPA budget. For FY 2010, I am proud that the EPA budget contains $50 million for Puget Sound. President Obama signed this spending bill into law on October 30th.
The Puget Sound Recovery Act of 2009 sets up an EPA office in Washington State to coordinate the federal effort to implement the Action Agenda. The other Federal agencies that are involved in the cleanup include the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Park Service, the Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service within the Department of Agriculture, the United States Geological Survey, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security and Transportation. In addition, this bill authorizes grants to study the causes of the Sound's declining water quality and ways to counter these threats, as well as grants for sewer and stormwater discharge projects.
I am pleased that the 6 Washington State Delegation Members whose districts surround the Puget Sound are original cosponsors of this legislation.
Madam Speaker, the Puget Sound Recovery Act of 2009 is an important step to authorize the federal role in the cleanup of this important water body.
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