Issue Position: Local Issues

Issue Position

Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are threatened by an encroaching non-native species of fish referred to as Asian carp. Reports of an Asian carp found above the electronic barrier in the Chicago Area Waterway System as well as evidence of environmental DNA in Lake Erie confirm the immediate threat faced by the Great Lakes from this invasive species. The introduction of this invasive species would have a destructive effect on the entire Great Lakes ecosystem and would inflict severe harm to this treasured natural resource.

I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 985, the Stop Asian Carp Act, which would designate the Secretary of the Army as the lead coordinator for federal Asian carp prevention efforts in the Great Lakes and surrounding areas and authorize the Army Corps to carry out other projects to prevent the spread of Asian carp. I also support the immediate closure of the locks as a stopgap measure to ensure the Asian carp does not make its way into the Great Lakes system while we work towards a more permanent solution.

FEMA Floodplain Map Issues
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of revising floodplain maps across the United States. Since 1973, federal regulations have required flood insurance on all structures located in the 1% annual chance floodplain (100-year floodplain).

Some property owners who were previously not identified as living in a floodplain will now be required to carry flood insurance. Since home owners insurance does not include damage due to flooding, it must be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

If your property has recently been identified as within a floodplain, and you believe this was done so in error, you must apply with FEMA for a letter of map amendment (LOMA). More information is available by calling FEMA's toll-free help line at 1-877-336-2627 or by visiting the FEMA website. To learn more about the process used by FEMA in making a flood map, please visit here.

I am very concerned about reported inaccuracies in these new maps, and that some property owners may be required to buy insurance -even though they do not face a real threat of flooding. To that end, I introduced legislation, H.R. 700, the Floodplain Maps Moratorium Act, in the 112th Congress which immediately suspends the requirement to buy flood insurance until FEMA addresses their mapping methods. Please know that I am continuing to look for ways to bring relief to individuals who have already been subjected to inaccurate maps.

Proposed Postal Service Reform
Having lived in a rural community for over 30 years, I understand the important role post offices play in rural communities. In recent years, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has experienced significant financial challenges and is in dire need of reform. In July 2013, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved H.R. 2748, the Postal Reform Act, which would modernize and restore the financial solvency of USPS. Although the House and Senate were not able to come to a compromise on comprehensive postal reform last year, I look forward to again working with my colleagues this year in advancing reform that ensures a solvent postal system and avoids a taxpayer bailout. To learn more about H.R. 2748, please visit here.

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