Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2023
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5441) to reauthorize Long Island Sound programs, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5441
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2023''. SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF LONG ISLAND SOUND PROGRAMS.
(a) Long Island Sound Grants.--Section 119(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1269(h)) is amended by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2024 through 2028''.
(b) Long Island Sound Stewardship Grants.--Section 11(a) of the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 1269 note; Public Law 109-359) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2024 through 2028''.
(c) Technical Amendment.--Section 119(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1269(g)) is amended by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3).
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WESTERMAN. 5441, the bill now under consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5441, the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2023.
Representative LaLota's legislation reauthorizes programs that promote collaboration between Federal agencies, State and local governments, and other stakeholders to protect and preserve the Long Island Sound.
H.R. 5441 reauthorizes the Long Island Sound Study through 2028 at current funding levels. The Long Island Sound Study was created in 1985, and for several decades it has been instrumental in protecting the sound and its broader watershed. The Long Island Sound Study established the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan that focuses on habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and sets ecosystem targets for the next 20 years.
A component of the program also provides grants to local officials deploying restoration projects. The program has been responsible for the restoration of more than 2,000 acres of habitat.
With 4 million people living in the sound's communities, and 9 million in its watershed, protection of this resource helps to safeguard the region's economy and the environment.
The Long Island Sound Study has been updated in recent decades to create more effective partnerships to manage the sound, to ensure that all stakeholders are at the table, and to provide resources to local officials carrying out projects.
I thank Representative LaLota for his work on a bipartisan basis to reauthorize these important programs.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, June 21, 2024. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Westerman: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 5441, the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2023. The bill was referred primarily to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, with an additional referral to the Committee on Natural Resources. Specifically, there are certain provisions of H.R. 5441 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this legislation before the House of Representatives in an expeditious manner, and accordingly, agree the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure shall be discharged from further consideration of the bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 5441 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation that falls with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's Rule X jurisdiction, and the Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved on this or similar legislation as it moves forward. Further, this does not prejudice the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with respect to the appointment of conferees and should a conference on the bill be necessary, I would appreciate your agreement to support my request to have the Committee represented on the conference committee.
Finally, I would ask that a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest in the bill be included in the Committee Report and Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 5441 on the House floor. Sincerely, Sam Graves, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, June 21, 2024. Hon. Sam Graves, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Graves: I write regarding H.R. 5441, the ``Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2023.'' The bill was referred primarily to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and additionally to the Committee on Natural Resources, and was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on June 12, 2024.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and appreciate your willingness to forgo any further consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will not formally consider H.R. 5441 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained therein.
I am pleased to support your request to name members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to any conference committee to consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill and will include such letters in the committee report on H.R. 5441. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, the management of the United States' natural resources requires effective coordination between all levels of government and local stakeholders. The legislation sponsored by Representative LaLota reauthorizes programs that support the health and well-being of the Long Island Sound.
By reauthorizing these programs, we allow this critical work to continue, conserving an important resource that is vital for the region's economy and the environment.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source