Madam Speaker, today I sent, along with Representative Scalise of Louisiana, a letter to the United States Army Corps of Engineers supporting Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's request for an emergency permit to dredge and build sand barrier islands. The United States Corps of Engineers must conduct an environmental assessment before granting the State a permit to build the barriers.

Governor Jindal petitioned the Corps of Engineers on May 10, more than 2 weeks ago, for approval to dredge and build the sand barriers. He has yet to receive a response. In the meantime, oil has begun to inundate Louisiana's fragile coasts and marshes. The proposed sand barriers would create a permanent barrier to prevent oil from reaching the shores and the wetlands.

We support Governor Jindal's efforts to protect the fragile ecosystems and natural resources that are of critical importance, not just to Louisiana, but in fact the entire national economy, and we urge the Army Corps of Engineers to act swiftly so that they may assist the governor in protecting these valuable resources.

Mr. Scalise and I were both part of a congressional delegation that visited the Gulf and the protected area 3 weeks ago. We have seen the spill and the waters firsthand and seen the way it is threatening Louisiana's coastline. Every resource should be utilized to stem this spill and protect the Nation's coastline.

I insert for the Record a copy of the letter we sent to Lieutenant General Robert L. Van Antwerp.


CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, DC, May 24, 2010.
LTG Robert L. Van Antwerp,
Commanding General and Chief of Engineers, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC.

LTG ROBERT L. VAN ANTWERP: As oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill begins to reach the fragile marshes and estuaries of the Louisiana coastline, it is imperative that the federal government do everything possible to stop the flow of oil and act immediately to protect the natural resources along Louisiana's coast.

On May 23, 2010, the Associated Press reported that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, frustrated with Army Corps of Engineers delays over environmental impact studies, will move forward unilaterally in building sand barriers to protect the coastline. Gov. Jindal petitioned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the week of May 10 for approval to dredge and build sand barriers to protect the wetlands, but the USACE has yet to grant approval of that request, and oil continues to damage areas of Louisiana's coasts.

We support Gov. Jindal's efforts to protect the fragile ecosystems and natural resources that are of critical importance not only to Louisiana but also to the entire national economy. And we hope the Army Corps of Engineers will expedite any environmental studies so that the Corps may assist the Governor in protecting these valuable resources.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a serious tragedy, resulting in the loss of 11 lives onboard the exploratory rig. Every resource should be utilized to stem this spill and protect the nation's coastlines. We appreciate your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Steve Scalise

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