Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005

DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005 -- (House of Representatives - July 08, 2004)

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 701 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the further consideration of the bill, H.R. 4754.

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Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, while I rise in support of the FY05 Commerce, Justice, State appropriations bill, I am deeply disappointed in the significant cuts proposed to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration budget.
As you know, the 23rd Congressional District, on California's Central Coast, is an incredibly diverse and productive coastal and marine area.

Tourism and commercial and recreational fishing are major industries on the Central Coast and a staple of our local economy. The money spent by tourists and the fish caught by fisherman pay the bills and put food on the table for the people living in these communities.

Unfortunately, they know better than anyone that our oceans and coasts are facing a greater array of problems than ever before.

The impact of coastal development, pollution and some fishing practices have led to declining prospects for many of our oceans, coasts and marine life.

With the recent release of the Pew Oceans Commission report and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy report, we have an unprecedented opportunity to move forward to dramatically reform ocean policy.

That's why investment in our nation's coasts and oceans is needed now.

Sadly, the bill before us proposes over $400 million in cuts-that's a 15 percent cut-to the agency in charge of caring for and managing these assets. I am particularly worried by the decrease in funds proposed for the National Ocean

Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The National Ocean Service is the primary federal agency working to protect and manage America's coastal waters and habitats. Unfortunately, this bill proposes a debilitating cut of $160 million from 2004 enacted levels.

Critical National Ocean Service programs have been severely cut, including activities that support managing coastal zones and national marine sanctuaries, restoring coral reefs, protecting sensitive coastal estuaries and reducing coastal pollution.

These cuts will cripple the agency and will impact all Americans who use our beaches and coastal waters for swimming, boating and recreation, in addition to threatening the 3 million U.S. jobs that our coasts and oceans support.

Mr. Chairman, I am also concerned by the proposed cuts to the National Marine Fisheries Service. The $96 million in cuts from the 2004 enacted level will further jeopardize our already troubled commercial and recreational fisheries.

While the bill does provide additional funds for expanding fisheries stock assessments, it fails to make available critical dollars for fishery observer programs, cooperative research, essential fish habitat protection, and efforts to conserve protected species like marine mammals and sea turtles.

Mr. Chairman, I recognize the Subcommittee has difficult choices to make this year. And, I appreciate the Chairman and Ranking Member's commitment to work toward rectifying the funding levels for NOAA in the final bill.

However, the verdict is in-our oceans and coasts are in trouble.

We need to invest in our oceans to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy clean beaches, healthy seafood, abundant ocean wildlife, and thriving coastal communities.

As we move into conference, I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Subcommittee to address the challenges and threats confronting our oceans and coasts.