10 



Statement of Hon. Jack Fields, a U.S. Representative from Texas, and 

 Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries 



Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to join you as we learn more about the Administra- 

 tion's new wetlands policy. I commend you for holding this hearing on such a criti- 

 cally important subject. 



In recent years, many Americans have become increasingly alarmed about the ar- 

 bitrary implementation of the Clean Water Act, particularly the part of the Act 

 which governs wetlands policy. I, too, am deeply concerned with the policy and the 

 devastating effect its implementation has had on American landowners. In some 

 cases, property owners have been denied their fundamental constitutional right to 

 use their land, which for many is their only significant asset. It is past time for com- 

 prehensive change to wetlands policy. 



There is little doubt that wetlands are an important habitat for many species 

 whose protection is supported by Congress and the public. Regrettably, current Fed- 

 eral wetlands laws simply do not work; they neither improve our environment nor 

 do they help our local communities. In short, our wetland protection system must be 

 improved in a comprehensive manner. 



Furthermore, since nearly 74 percent of all wetlands are privately owned, it is 

 essential that we devise incentives to encourage individuals to develop wetland man- 

 agement plans for their property. We also need to compensate property owners if 

 they lose the economic value of their property due to these regulations. 



While I believe we need to address many of these concerns legislatively, I am 

 pleased to see that some improvements are being made administratively. These in- 

 clude, an implementation of a deadline for decisions on permit applications; creation 

 of an appeals process; and, that Federal employees will be certified and trained in 

 delineation. These changes are steps in the right direction toward wetlands policy 

 reform. 



Again, thank you for holding this hearing today, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to 

 learning more about the President's policy, and some of the steps that will be taken 

 to ease one of the most controversial environmental dilemmas in the country. 



Mr. Studds. We have five Federal agencies represented at the 

 table — the Department of the Army, the Department of the Interi- 

 or, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agri- 

 culture, and the Department of Commerce — at varying levels and 

 with varying lengths of titles. 



It is our understanding that there will be only one presentation 

 and that will be made by Mr. Wayland who is with the Office of 

 Wetlands at EPA, after which everyone will be prepared to handle 

 or to dodge questions. 



Mr. Wayland. 



STATEMENTS OF G. EDWARD DICKEY, ACTING ASSISTANT SEC- 

 RETARY FOR THE ARMY (CIVIL WORKS), DEPARTMENT OF THE 

 ARMY; ROBERT DAVISON, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR 

 FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR; 

 ROBERT H. WAYLAND, III, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF WETLANDS, 

 OCEANS & WATERSHEDS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

 AGENCY; GALEN BRIDGE, ACTING CHIEF, SOIL CONSERVATION 

 SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ACCOMPANIED BY 

 BILLY TEELS, WETLANDS STAFF LEADER; AND GARY MAT- 

 LOCK, ACTING ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR FISHERIES, 

 NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DE- 

 PARTMENT OF COMMERCE 



STATEMENT OF ROBERT H. WAYLAND, III, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF 

 WETLANDS, OCEANS & WATERSHEDS, ENVIRONMENTAL PRO- 

 TECTION AGENCY 



Mr. Wayland. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are very pleased 

 to be here today to outline the Clinton administration's policy. 



