Bob Wise on Environment Former Democratic Governor; previously Representative (WV-2)

Create cabinet Environment post; end tradeoff with economy

More state autonomy on brownfields & Superfund cleanups.

The Issue

NGA’s Position

Support State Revolving Loan Fund for flexible Clean Water.

The Issue

NGA’s Position

Supports national drought policy, focusing on readiness.

• Whereas, the recent severe drought conditions throughout the South have created life-threatening situations as well as financial burdens for both government and individuals, and drought conditions are expected to persist in several states in the South;
• Whereas, the effects of drought build up and last for several years and, therefore, government programs to address other natural disasters are not well suited to prepare for or respond to droughts;
• Whereas, extremely dry conditions have led to numerous forest and rangeland fires, burning tens of thousands of acres of land, destroying homes and communities and eliminating critical habitats for wildlife;
• Whereas, the impacts of drought follow no political boundary and drought assistance programs occur at both state and federal levels of government, making it essential to cooperatively plan for and implement measures that will provide relief from current drought situations and prepare for future drought emergencies;
• Whereas, a national drought policy is needed, and the National Drought Policy Commission (NDPC) has issued a report emphasizing moving from relief to readiness; now, therefore, be it
• Resolved, the southern governors call upon the Congress to adopt a coordinated, integrated national drought program that
  • emphasizes preparedness over insurance, insurance over relief, and incentives over regulation;
  • coordinates drought programs and response between federal and nonfederal entities by creating a coordinating council with meaningful participation by regionally-balanced nonfederal representation, and that this council continue to identify and close gaps in the availability of federal programs in different regions; and
  • includes a crop insurance program that would make it practicable and prudent for all types of farmers in all areas of the country to obtain coverage.

Maintain water flow in Mississippi & Missouri Rivers.

• Whereas, the flow of commerce on the Mississippi River is essential to the economic welfare of the nation;
• Whereas, the USDA reports that 70% of the nation’s total grain exports were handled through Mississippi River port elevators;
• Whereas, free movement of water-borne commerce on the Inland Waterway System is critical to the delivery of goods to deep-water ports for international trade;
• Whereas, the reliability of adequate flows for navigation is a key requirement for fulfillment of delivery contracts, employment in ports and terminals, and energy efficiency;
• Whereas, delays and stoppages would threaten the successful implementation of international trade agreements under NAFTA and GATT;
• Whereas, the Missouri River contributes up to 65% of the Mississippi River flow at St. Louis during low water conditions;
• Whereas, reduction of Missouri River flows above St. Louis would result in more frequent and more costly impediments to the flow of commerce on the Mississippi River;
• Whereas, the reach of the Mississippi River between St. Louis and Cairo, Illinois is at highest risk for delays and stoppages of navigation because of low-water conditions; and
• Whereas, the US Army Corps of Engineers is considering several proposed alterations to the current edition of the Master Water Control Manual for the Missouri River that would reduce support of water-borne commerce by restricting the flow of the river during the summer and fall, low-water period at St. Louis; now, therefore, be it
• Resolved, That the Southern Governors’ Association would strongly oppose any alterations that would have such an effect and would urge the Corps to consult with affected inland waterway states prior to endorsing any proposal that would alter the current edition of the manual.