TESTIMONY OF DR. WILLIAM N. NORTON, Ph.D. HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES BEFORE THE WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE Washington, D.C. Mr. Chairman, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity afforded me today to testify before this committee in support of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act. I am Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University, a school of over 15,000 students that is located in Hammond near the northwest shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The university community, as well as leaders in both the private and public sectors of the regions surrounding Southeastern, are enthusiastic and grateful that Representative Vitter has recognized how critical the restoration of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin is to the economic stability, quality of life, and natural resources for the citizens of southern Louisiana and the nation as a whole. In essence, the Lake Ponchartrain Basin Restoration Act is designed to ensure coordinated restoration efforts among the participants, to establish the Lake Ponchartrain Basin Restoration program within the Environmental Protection Agency and to authorize and provide adequate resources for restoration projects within the Basin. Substantial progress in the restoration of Lake Pontchartrain has occurred over the past decade as a consequence of the fruitful efforts of many dedicated individuals in the public and private sectors; however, increased human activities in the Basin have maintained the aquatic ecosystem in a perpetual state of jeopardy. Consequently, there is a definitive need to establish an entity, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program that provides a mechanism through which continual coordinated efforts can be maintained with the primary objective of restoring the ecological health of the Ponchartrain Basin. The Program is structured in such a manner as to address a number of significant environmental issues, including those that link the environment to human health problems through water that has been tainted with pesticides, herbicides, raw or partially treated human waste and animal waste from farms. The Program is also designed to ensure that threats to the Basin are recognized and ultimately minimized through organized efforts of all the participating parties. I firmly believe that in order for a complex, multifaceted project, such as the Lake Pontchartrain Basin program to succeed, it must have a strong and viable education component. Public education is frequently recognized as the key to success for large, comprehensive environmental programs that require a change in attitude and behavior of citizens. The public must develop an acute awareness of the causes of wetland degradation and a true appreciation of the necessity to restore wetland and estuarine ecosystems to their original pristine state. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act and its proposed amendments focus on the critical nature of communication and enhanced working relationships among citizens, communities and agencies. Southeastern Louisiana University has a strong and recognized legacy in the generation of valuable links between restoration projects and outreach programs. For the past decade we have received funds from the National Science Foundation that have been directed to the education of elementary and secondary teachers in the area of wetland restoration and monitoring projects, especially those that have focused on the restoration of cypress swamps and the monitoring of watersheds. The importance of the Pontchartrain Basin to the economic stability of southern Louisiana and the northern region of the Gulf of Mexico can not be overemphasized. The influence of the Basin extends far beyond the physical boundaries of this estuarine ecosystem. The Basin functions as an important nursery for a multitude of freshwater and marine organisms that are critical to the economy of both Louisiana and the nation. Migratory waterfowl and other wildlife are dependent upon the stability and productivity of estuarine ecosystems such as the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, which is one of several such ecosystems in Louisiana. Collectively, Louisiana's wetlands provide over 30% of the nation's total commercial fisheries harvest and serve as the over-wintering habitat for 70% of the migratory waterfowl of the central and Mississippi flyway. These wetlands also contain rich resources of oil and gas. We have a moral responsibility and economic incentive to restore and maintain wetlands and estuarine ecosystems, which represent the most productive type of ecosystem in the world. In Louisiana, the Ponchartrain Basin is unique because of its location in a part of the state that is subjected to the greatest population growth and development. The future health, integrity, and sustainability of the Ponchartrain Basin ecosystem are largely dependent upon how we act in the near future. This estuarine ecosystem is experiencing extensive ecological stresses as a consequence of the pronounced growth and development that is occurring within the boundaries of the Ponchartrain Basin. New Orleans is situated on the south shore of the lake. Future expansion of the city will likely be limited to wetland areas. During the past decade, the entire north shore area has accommodated rapid development and a dramatic increase in population. The region has transformed into a "bedroom community" for New Orleans. In addition, the growth and development has included the expansion of numerous towns and cities that are scattered along a corridor that parallels the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain. Several sizable rivers, such as the Amite, Tickfaw, Tangipahoa, and Tchefuncte flow into the Lake Maurepaus/Ponchartrain Basin. These river systems directly influence the ecological state of the Lake Ponchartrain Basin and they all, collectively, are susceptible to the potential adverse effects of continued population growth and development unless we respond accordingly and design a comprehensive management and restoration plan. 2 The Lake Ponchartrain Basin Restoration Act provides the foundation, mechanism, and financial support for such a plan. Many of the know causes of pollution and ecosystem disruption in the Lake Ponchartrain Basin are comparable to those that adversely affect other wetland ecosystems, especially those that are located in the South. Consequently, the Lake Ponchartrain Basin Restoration Act may conceivably function as a model for the restoration of other threatened wetland ecosystems throughout the country. In closing I would like to express my appreciation to the members of this committee for allowing me to testify today. Thank you. 3 Testimony of Governor George E. Pataki Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment February 29, 2000 Chairman Boehlert and members of the House Water Resources Subcommittee, I am pleased to be here with Governor Rowland, and I thank you for providing me with this opportunity to talk to you about New York State's efforts to protect and improve one of the premier estuaries in the Nation - Long Island Sound. While New York is proud of the progress we have made to restore the Sound's water quality, federal assistance is greatly needed to fulfill our commitment to the Sound. Specifically, I would like to express my strong support for H.R. 3313, the Long Island Sound Restoration Act Introduced by Congressman Lazio and Congresswoman Johnson. Overview of Long Island Sound Activities Long Island Sound is home to many. For centuries, people have been attracted to its wide, sandy beaches, blue waters, and abundant natural resources. More than eight million people live in the Long Island Sound watershed - a staggering number for a resource whose fragility was recognized only after serious environmental problems were discovered in the Sound. The economy and environment of the Sound are intertwined as well: research commissioned by the Long Island Sound Study estimated that about $5 billion is generated annually in the regional economy from boating, commercial and port fishing, swimming, and beachgoing. Cargo shipping, ferry transportation and power generation also are important uses of the Sound. Indeed, millions flock to the Sound each year to enjoy its diverse and beautiful natural resources, while vital industries make it their home base. Long Island Sound is a classic example of the vital interplay between the environment and the economy. With the uses it serves and the recreational opportunities it provides, Long Island Sound is among the most important estuaries in the Nation. We have long known, however, that the Sound is troubled. Since the 1980's, hypoxia - low dissolved oxygen - has emerged as an issue of great concern in Long Island Sound. Without sufficient levels of oxygen, marine life moves out of the area or suffocates. Simply put, without oxygen, we will not have lobster, crab, shrimp, or other aquatic organisms in the waters of Long Island Sound. Through careful scientific analysis, it has been determined that sewage treatment plants in New York and Connecticut contribute significantly to this |