With that, Mr. Chairman, I would just like to ask unanimous 

 consent I be allowed to submit additional materials for the record. 

 Mr. Studds. Without objection. 



[The material mentioned can be found at the end of the hearing.] 

 [The prepared statement of Hon. Jack Fields follows:] 



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

 Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries 



Mr. Chairman, aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes, es- 

 tuaries, coastal marine ecosystems and associated riparian upland habitats, perform 

 numerous valuable environmental functions. They recycle nutrients, purify water, 

 alleviate floods, maintain stream flow, recharge ground water, act as primary pro- 

 ducers in the food chain, provide habitat for plants, fish, wildlife and other depend- 

 ent species, and provide recreational opportunities. The degradation of our Nation's 

 aquatic ecosystems can affect the entire hydrologic system and natural diversities 

 of all forms of aquatic species associated with these areas. 



Our hearing today will focus on the need for restoring our Nation's aquatic 

 ecosystems. We will discuss H.R. 4481, introduced by Congressman Hamburg, a bill 

 that would: (1) provide a comprehensive and integrative framework to direct long- 

 term national aquatic ecosystem restoration activities; (2) coordinate existing Fed- 

 eral programs and policies relating to aquatic ecosystem restoration; (3) activate 

 local, tribal and State restoration activities by providing technical expertise and 

 funding to such entities; and (4) create a dedicated source of funds based on user 

 fees to fund these restoration activities. 



We will also discuss H.R. 4289, introduced by Congresswoman Furse, a bill that 

 would amend the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program, which was 

 authorized in 1954 to fund structural flood control projects such as dams and stream 

 channelization. The bill would also authorize funding tor non-structural, community- 

 based projects that provide environmental benefits. Funding could also be used to 

 organize local watershed councils, train participants, and develop on-the-ground wa- 

 tershed restoration projects. 



And finally, Mr. Chairman, we will review H.R. 4408, a bill designed to help re- 

 store the entire Russian River System in northern California. A key component of 

 this legislation would establish an advisory committee to assist the EPA and Soil 

 Conservation Service (SCS) in implementing the goals of the Act. The bill calls for 

 an appropriation of $7 million to be available until expended. 



Mr. Chairman, I would like to join with you in welcoming our witnesses and I 

 look forward to hearing their testimony. 



Mr. Studds. Let me just add, I understand from Ms. Beattie that 

 for all intents and purposes she is still in Alaska. So you know the 

 feeling. 



The Chair also apologizes. I have to go somewhere even further 

 than Alaska in about 15 minutes, that is, the Committee on Ways 

 and Means, to defend one of our programs, so I will ask someone 

 else to assume the Chair at that point, and my apologies to those 

 whose testimony I will not hear. 



We have two of our colleagues who have asked to appear, and 

 since we are bound by tradition and tradition dictates to seniority, 

 we will go first to the gentlewoman of the District of Columbia. 

 Welcome. Nice to have you here. 



STATEMENT OF HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, A REP- 

 RESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE DISTRICT OF CO- 

 LUMBIA 



Ms. Norton. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the oppor- 

 tunity to be here and to testify on behalf of my bill, the Urban Wa- 

 tershed Restoration Act, H.R. 3873. I appreciate also, Mr. Chair- 

 man, that you have cosponsored this bill and I appreciate as well 

 that Congresswomen Unsoeld and Furse are also cosponsors. I 



