Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the amendment to H.R. 7608 proposed by my colleagues, Mr. Perry and Mr. Joyce from Pennsylvania. The amendment would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from fulfilling the role outlined in an agreement that the Agency entered into--along with six states and the District of Columbia--to restore the Chesapeake Bay. Like the rest of the Bay's 64,000 square mile watershed, in my district in Hampton Roads, Virginia, healthy tributaries and a healthy Chesapeake are vital to the environment, the economy, recreation, wildlife and our way of life.

Despite the vital importance of the Bay, how to best address its deterioration was a concern for almost half a century. Prior to the states' agreement with the EPA, their individual efforts were largely unsuccessful. In 2010, however, the Environmental Protection Agency established Total Maximum Daily Load, limits on nutrient and sediment pollution to improve the Bay's water quality. Though the work continues, this new level of coordination and federal-state cooperation has been very successful. Beyond the Chesapeake region, this level of coordination provides a unique precedent for other restoration efforts across the country. Unfortunately, this amendment would prohibit the EPA from fulfilling their crucial role, one that the watershed states have agreed is necessary. History makes it clear that the collaboration and partnership of state, local, Federal, and non-governmental partners will be required to restore this national treasure. I urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment.

I also rise in support of the amendment that my colleague Ms. Speier has introduced. I share the gentlewoman's concern about forcing non- federal entities that have faithfully worked with the EPA to secure funding for the very successful Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program to reapply. In my district in Hampton Roads, the SWIFT project--or the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow--is currently very close to closing a loan to move forward with their work to replenish the Potomac aquifer. Changing the application process for non-federal applicants that are already so far along in the process is wasteful and would unnecessarily delay projects that support access to safe and affordable water for our communities.

In the case of the innovative SWIFT project, the WIFIA program supports my community's access to clean drinking water not only now, but also in the future as it recharges an aquifer on which most of eastern Virginia depends for their drinking water. In addition to limiting the amount of treated water that would otherwise be discharged into the James, Elizabeth, or York Rivers, this project would also yield enormous benefits to the entire region by slowing land subsidence, which is compounded in the Hampton Roads region by sea- level rise. Importantly for agricultural producers, the project also promises to slow the intrusion of saltwater into groundwater in the region.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the WIFIA program and the many benefits that it provides.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source