Water Resources Development Act of 2018
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, my amendment directs the Secretary of the Army to consider water storage when carrying out a water resource development feasibility study.
Section 109 requires the Secretary to consult with local governments and integrate their water management plans when developing a water resource development feasibility study. My amendment would include consideration of water storage when developing these studies.
Water storage is an essential tool that many States use to take full advantage of their water resources. In Florida, we receive over 50 inches of rain annually; however, we don't always get the rain where we need it. Water may be moved for flood control or water supply.
For example, from November 1, 2017, through June 4, 2018, the South Florida Water Management District moved approximately 151 billion gallons of water from Lake Okeechobee to preserve optimal levels for the ecosystem.
In my own congressional district, our water management district uses water storage to maintain maximum levels in Lake Toho. Additionally, these storage areas provide wetland habitat to many endangered species. Water storage is important and should be a consideration when studying water resources feasibility.
Mr. Chairman, I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chairman, my amendment adds universities to the list of entities the Secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers should consider when submitting their report to Congress on the use of innovative materials in water resource development projects.
Section 128 requires the Secretary of the Army to submit to Congress a report that describes the activities of various entities involved in the development of innovative materials for water development projects. Currently, as written, the bill mentions centers of expertise, technological centers, technical centers, research and development centers, and other similar centers. Universities are often at the cutting edge of research and, therefore, should be specified for consideration in preparing the report.
While the current language could already include universities in the category of ``other similar centers,'' such consideration would be discretionary. As such, a relevant area of activity may not be considered for the report because a single word was not added to the text. As Members of Congress, we ask for reports and recommendations from government entities so their expertise can be utilized in assisting the legislative process. Here, the activities conducted at universities should be considered so we can best capture the relevant information on the testing, research, development, and identification to best inform the Army Corps report and their congressional recommendations to resources development projects.
Mr. Chairman, I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Shuster for his support, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, my amendment would direct the GAO study in section 130 to specifically consider trough bars, coastal wetlands, and barrier reefs in their study on the feasibility of natural features projects for the purposes of flood risk management, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration.
Section 130 directs the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress a study of consideration by the Corps of Engineers of natural features and nature-based features in the study of the feasibility of projects for flood risk management, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration.
Specifically, one aspect of the GAO study of consideration in H.R. 8 asks for an assessment of the costs, benefits, impacts, and tradeoffs associated with natural features and nature-based features, as well as the effectiveness of such features.
My amendment specifies some of the natural features and nature-based features that could and should be considered by adding the language: ``(including trough bars, coastal wetlands, and barrier coral reefs)''.
In my home State of Florida, we are no stranger to the issue associated with national features and the role they play in storm damage reduction, especially after the devastating effects of last year's hurricane season, but this is by no means a Florida-specific issue. Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy showed us firsthand what happens when natural flood protection features do not exist.
This amendment would serve to highlight important natural infrastructure options to the GAO study, namely, trough bars, coastal wetlands, and barrier coral reefs were specified with storm damage reduction concerns in mind. These natural structures buffer shorelines against waves, storms, and floods, which help prevent loss of life, property damage, and erosion.
For example, trough bars and sand dunes provide substantial protection from storm-induced erosion. The larger the trough bar, the more time it takes to be eroded by waves and the more protection it provides areas further landward. Coastal wetlands lower flood heights, filter floodwater, and protect from storm surges. Coral reefs reduce wave energy by an average of 97 percent, dissipating disproportionately more wave energy as wave energy increased. Taken together, these natural features would reduce storm damage and are items that would be specifically evaluated in the GAO study.
Mr. Chair, I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Shuster for his support.
The technical amendment was advised to us by the Parliamentarian.
I thank the chairman again for his support.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would direct the Secretary of the Army to endeavor to inform all residential property stakeholders of adjoining Army Corps of Engineers' interest in their adjacent property.
Section 137 of this bill would expand public access to residential real estate data by placing information related to all real property data that the Army Corps holds an interest in online. Not all constituents have easy access to the internet.
Elderly constituents may not be able to easily search information about Army Corps projects online. Thus, my amendment would expand access to the real estate information by directing the Secretary of the Army, to the maximum extent practicable, to endeavor to provide such information to all adjoining residential stakeholders of real estate with which the Corps holds an interest.
By informing residential stakeholders, we will ensure they are aware of how Army Corps property interests might influence their property values, the enjoyment of their property, or their way of life.
Mr. Chairman, I urge support for my amendment and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his support, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source