Press Releases

Prepared Remarks

of

Robert J. Wittman

Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife

1324 Longworth House Office Building

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

10:00 a.m.

Chairwoman Bordallo,

Thank you very much for holding this hearing to address two bills impacting the Chesapeake Bay.

I am honored to represent Virginia's First Congressional District.  Improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay is a priority to me and many of my constituents. 

I believe there is a sense of frustration in the Chesapeake Bay watershed about the progress we've made to restore the Bay.  Yes, there have been successes.  However, with all of the federal, state, local and private partner investment we would all like to see more accomplishments. 

H.R. 1053, the Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act, would implement and strengthen management techniques like crosscut budgeting and adaptive management -to ensure we get more bang for our buck and continue to make progress in Bay restoration efforts. 

Both techniques will ensure that we're coordinating how restoration dollars are spent and making sure that everyone understands how individual projects fit into the bigger picture.  That way, we're not duplicating efforts, spending money we don't need to or, worse, working at cross purposes.

H.R. 1053 would require OMB in coordination with state and federal agencies involved in the Bay to report to Congress on the status of Chesapeake Bay restoration activities.

This legislation would also require EPA to develop and implement an adaptive management plan for Chesapeake Bay restoration activates.

Adaptive management relies on rigorous scientific monitoring, testing and evaluating; and the flexibility to modify management policies and strategies based on changing conditions. 

Crosscut budgeting and adaptive management should be key components for the complex restoration activity in the Chesapeake Bay.

Madam Chairwomen,

I am also pleased to support H.R. 1771, the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009 introduced by Mr. Sarbanes from Maryland.

Thanks again for this hearing and I look forward to continuing working with you and the Committee to restore the Chesapeake Bay.

Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife

1324 Longworth House Office Building

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

10:00 a.m.

Agenda

Legislative Hearing

on

H.R. 1771, Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009; H.R. 1053, Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2009; and H.R. 905, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act

Witnesses

Peyton Robertson

Director

Chesapeake Bay Office

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Ann Swanson

Executive Director

Chesapeake Bay Commission

Steve Kroll

Chair

Thunder Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council