Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011

Floor Speech

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Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of Amendment 9 to H.R. 2018, the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011 and to oppose the underlying bill, which would overturn almost forty years of Federal legislation by preventing EPA from protecting public health and water quality. H.R. 2018 will turn the Clean Water Act into the Dirty Water Act.

Let me paint a picture of what my hometown rivers, the Malden, the Mystic and the Charles, looked like forty years ago. Raw sewage flowed into the river from outmoded wastewater treatment plants. Toxic discharges from industrial facilities colored the river pink and orange. Fish kills, submerged cars and appliances, leaching riverbank landfills, and noxious odors were common occurrences.

Because of the Clean Water Act, polluted rivers are being relegated to the history books like the water-powered textile mills on these rivers that started the Industrial Revolution in the United States. Using sound science, cutting-edge technologies and by making polluters pay, EPA and its partners have made remarkable progress in restoring these rivers. The award-winning River's Edge Park on the shores of the Malden River is a testament to the economic development that follows the implementation of environmental laws.

My amendment to H.R. 2018 would ensure that any waters that EPA determines provides flood protection for communities, or are valuable fish and wildlife habitat that provide benefits to the economy, or are coastal recreational waters would continue to be protected. Our clean rivers must not return to their polluted past.

My amendment would also protect the progress made to restore fishing and swimming on sections of the Connecticut River, New England's longest river, by ensuring federal protection for rivers that run through more than one state.

The Army Corps of Engineers estimates that protecting wetlands along the Charles River in Boston saves as much as $17 million annually in averted flood damage, and economists estimate that each acre of wetland provides more than $10,000 per person in public benefits each year.

The song "Dirty Water'' is played after every Red Sox home win. The song memorializes the polluted Charles and Boston Harbor. And while those of us in Boston love the song, we like our new, clean, healthy Charles River more. Support my amendment and keep this song as an oldie, instead of turning it into a modern hit on the demise of the Clean Water Act.

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