The Clean Water Action Plan that the President unveiled a little more than a year ago was an ambitious new effort. Not only is it an effort to improve the quality of the nation's waters, but to improve the way we tackle the remaining water quality problems.
By taking a unified, watershed approach, local communities will be more involved in managing their own lakes and streams.
Coordinating ongoing efforts of many agencies is another laudable goal of the Action Plan. I'll be interested to hear just how the Administration is making this happen. I think a lot of progress can be made if we use existing resources and not duplicate efforts. It will make those limited dollars for resource protection go further.
My state of Montana has been doing quite a bit to address the nonpoint problem, including requiring streamside management zones for timber harvesting . I am anxious to hear how on-going state efforts will be accounted for under the Clean Water Action Plan.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.