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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding time.
Environmental review isn't a problem; it is a good thing. Including citizens in projects and how they affect our communities and their voices is important. Protecting water quality in natural areas that drive local economies is important. Saving tax dollars is important.
And yet, unfortunately, in the minds of some, environmental review is a problem that needs to be streamlined. I don't call these environmental review streamlines something good. I say that they are just weakening a good process that allows people to be involved and participate.
I think weakening the National Environmental Protection Act is shortsighted, misguided; and I oppose those particular provisions.
While there are merits in this bill, there also are
problems, and weakening environmental review is chief among them. I am very disappointed those provisions are included in this bill.
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