The Honorable Donna F. Edwards
Conference report to H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act
May 20, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member Rahall, and our subcommittee chairman, Mr. Gibbs, and ranking member, Mr. Bishop, and congratulate them and all of our staff on the work on this conference report. I rise in support of this bill.
I just want to point out, however, that the environmental streamlining provisions in the House- and Senate-passed versions were based on an assumption that a significant number of project delays are due to environmental reviews. I could not disagree more.
I would prefer that the environmental provisions in the conference report were not included, but I believe we have improved them significantly. We have also ensured that the public will still be able to participate effectively as part of the NEPA process on water projects that have a profound effect on health, safety, and well-being.
I also would like to commend the conference committee on adopting provisions of the State revolving fund for the first time since 1987 and including innovative financing of water infrastructure projects. As part of both programs, I am proud to say that we will, for the first time, consider an idea that I championed, the use of innovative, green, and low-impact technologies. These types of projects are usually less expensive, require less operations and maintenance, and reduce risk.
I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill that creates jobs, while ensuring that taxpayers dollars are used to support projects that are well-designed and achieve environmental compliance.
