Wate Resources Development Act Of 2007

Floor Speech

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - April 19, 2007)

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Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Mr. Chairman, as you know, this legislation will authorize projects that are vitally important to our communities, to our citizens, to our environment.

This amendment is intended to begin the process of reforming the Army Corps of Engineers process so it can be done better. I support and applaud the leadership of the Committee on Transportation and the cosponsors of this amendment. We must establish transparency, collaboration and accountability within the Corps of Engineers so as to better serve our communities.

What this amendment does is begin that process by citing improvements that can be made in the principles and the guidelines. This is essential because some of the things that have happened that have been adverse to our communities and to our citizens have been foreseeable and predictable. The reforms that we are beginning to take with this amendment are to foresee, predict and avoid.

Secondly, independent peer review. I want to recognize the work of the committee of including that in this legislation. It is my hope that going forward in the conference committee that will actually be strengthened.

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