because of the size of the State of one of our members. Members 

 are asked, if possible, to confine their opening statement to one 

 minute. 

 The gentleman from New Jersey. 



STATEMENT OF HON. JIM SAXTON, A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE 

 FROM NEW JERSEY, AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER, SUB- 

 COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 



Mr. Saxton. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Hopefully, this hearing can begin to mark the end of what has 

 been a long and entrenched controversy in this country. The new 

 wetlands policy outlines a commitment to provide for flexibility, 

 fairness, and a streamlining of the wetlands regulation. These are 

 changes which deserve early and serious consideration. 



Also, the formal acknowledgment that "all wetlands are not the 

 same" is a major step forward toward resolving the deadlock of 

 recent years. This was perhaps the single most important factor re- 

 sponsible for the "wetlands wars." Rather than building consensus 

 for the protection of our remaining wetlands, wetlands became the 

 metaphor for big government, not exactly an effective strategy. 



I am also pleased by the policy's long-term direction toward eco- 

 system and watershed management. Over a decade ago, New 

 Jersey, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

 adopted what amounts to an "advanced planning" program for the 

 pinelands ecosystem in Central New Jersey. Critical habitat areas 

 were designated as "no growth," other areas were allowed to be 

 marginally developed with mitigation options, while still others 

 were slated as "full growth" areas. 



Today I hope we will clarify how the nonregulatory options of ad- 

 vanced planning, mitigation, restoration and public/private part- 

 nerships will be supported within the agencies and given the tech- 

 nical and financial resources necessary for effective implementa- 

 tion. 



Lastly, I am interested in how the policy will affect — and im- 

 prove — State assumption of regulation of wetlands. The State of 

 New Jersey is currently undergoing this process and it has become 

 quite controversial. Serious concerns over New Jersey's proposal 

 have been expressed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and var- 

 ious outside organizations interested in its case, which could set the 

 stage for future State programs. 



I hope to outline those concerns in more detail when I have an 

 opportunity to question the witnesses. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Studds. Thank you. Does the gentlemen from New York 

 have an opening statement? 



Mr. HocHBRUECKNER. No, thank you. 



Mr. Studds. The gentleman from Alaska. 



STATEMENT OF HON. DON YOUNG, A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE 

 FROM ALASKA, AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER, SUBCOM- 

 MITTEE ON FISHERIES MANAGEMENT 



Mr. Young. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



