OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Marine Debris Research, Prevention, And Reduction Act

Date: Sept. 27, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Environment


MARINE DEBRIS RESEARCH, PREVENTION, AND REDUCTION ACT -- (House of Representatives - September 27, 2006)

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from California for those very nice remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 362, legislation that will address the serious and overlooked problem of marine debris along our Nation's shores and beaches.

Marine debris remains a huge issue in my home State of New Jersey. It was not too long ago that the New York Bight, a 19,000-square-mile area off the coast of New Jersey and New York, was known infamously as the ``ocean dumping capital of the world.''

It has taken years of work to clean up our oceans and our beaches, and S. 362 will help ensure that we never go back to where we were.

I applaud my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, especially the chairman, DON YOUNG, and the ranking member, JIM OBERSTAR, and Resources Committee chairman, RICHARD POMBO, and the ranking member, NICK RAHALL, for their support in clearing this important legislation for the floor. And I also thank my colleague from San Diego and my colleague, the chairman of our Subcommittee on Resources from Maryland, for helping clear this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I introduced the House companion version of this bill, H.R. 3692, not only because marine debris is bad for human health and the environment but also because it can be incredibly harmful to our tourism economy in New Jersey and across the country.

By building on the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, S. 362 will provide additional coordination to prevent and reduce marine debris through the establishment of an interagency coordinating committee. The bill will also strengthen and enhance specific program activities carried out by NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard.

This legislation will provide additional grant resources to reduce the volume of marine debris, track the origination and subsequent dispersal of this trash, and stimulate new education strategies to build public awareness of the problem. Marine debris is an issue that we ignore at our own peril, and I urge adoption of this legislation to finally establish an effective and coordinated Federal response to the problem.

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