|
(GREEN BAY, WI) -- Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. welcomed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to Green Bay, WI today for a field hearing on the health of the Great Lakes.
Kagen delivered the following opening remarks:
“I would like to express my deep appreciation to Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Petri for granting me the opportunity to hold today’s field hearing on the important issue of falling water levels in Lakes Michigan and Superior, and the challenges we face regarding the health of our waters due to aquatic invasive species.
Today, we will hear testimony about the environmental and economic problems caused by the falling water levels in the Great Lakes and the presence of non-native aquatic species.
It is in the spirit of Wisconsin’s own, Gaylord Nelson, who promoted Earth Day before we really understood how our human activities affected our global climate, and Aldo Leopold, the founder of today’s conservation movement, that we meet today. The testimony we receive today and in the coming weeks will form the basis from which we will write legislation to further protect the health of our Great Lakes.
Thank you to all the members of the panels for appearing before the Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee. I look forward to your testimonies.
I am eager to hear your views on the decreasing water levels, and potential solutions to ensure the long-term environmental, economic, and navigable vitality of the Great Lakes system and region.
As we are aware, the Great Lakes are a tremendous and extraordinary natural resource unparalleled anywhere else in the world. The Great Lakes system is the largest freshwater system on earth, and accounts for the one-fifth of the world’s surface freshwater, and ninety-five percent of our domestic fresh water supply. Declining water levels pose a serious threat to the long-term sustainability of lakes Michigan and Superior.
The U.S. Army Corps on Engineers is responsible for monitoring channel outflow, channel conditions, and water levels of the Great Lakes. According to the lake level measurements recently taken by the Corps, there has been a consistent decline in water levels in the Great Lakes. With the Great Lakes system handling 30 percent of exports and generating $3.8 billion dollars of our national gross domestic product annually, it is critical that Congress continue to investigate this matter.
In addition, Congress should thoroughly examine the linkage, if any, with declining water levels and erosion of the St. Clair River channel. I, along with Senators Kohl and Feingold, and Ranking Member Petri have serious concerns about this matter, which is of great importance to the 8th District and the state of Wisconsin.
Moreover, the adverse effects of invasive species in the Great Lakes are the cause of significant anxiety as well. The serious economic consequences and financial costs associated with attempting to manage and control these aquatic invaders in the Great Lakes are substantial. It is estimated that ~$5 billion in damages has been generated by the zebra mussel; while the cost to the ecosystem of lost native species may never be known.
Even though ships have in large part complied with mandatory ballast water management regulations in the Great Lakes, over 180 non-native aquatic species now call the Great Lakes their new home.
Individuals from Northeast Wisconsin, including Native Americans and sportsmen, and those in private industry and the agriculture community, are passionate advocates for improving and preserving the Great Lakes. They clearly believe conserving our environment is imperative to the health of our economy and our people.
Let us commit ourselves to sharing what we know about the health of our Great Lakes, and then let’s put our minds together and guarantee our children inherit waters cleaner than we inherited them from our parents.
It is essential that we receive all information possible to allow Congress to begin to restore proper water levels in the Great Lakes, and continue to pursue measures to prevent additional aquatic invasive species from infiltrating our environment and look for ways to eradicate those species that have built themselves a new home in our part of the world.
To tackle these challenges, federal, state and local governments must work collectively in a bipartisan manner – along with industry - to guarantee that these objectives are met.
It is my hope that the witnesses will enlighten the Subcommittee on ways in which we will be better able to address these matters as rapidly as is humanly possible.
Thank you again Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Petri for holding this important hearing. I yield back my time.”
###
|