Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to Bill Clinton, December 18, 1996

Congress of tfje Unitcb States ©oust of ScpresmtatiOca ©Hasljington, 2)£ 20515-2002 December 18, 1996 President Bill Clinton The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D. C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: I am writing to urge you to include funding in your FY 1998 budget submittal for the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC). This watershed agency epitomizes what Americans have long been calling for — cost-effective environmental protection. I call on you to renew your support and commitment to SRBC and other river basin commissions. Working with my colleagues from Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania, I will do my part to ensure that Congress appropriates funding for SRBC and other commissions. These programs not only protect the environment and public health and safety, they actually provide dollars to the U. S. Treasury each year through important water supply projects; flood damage reductions; and water quality improvements. Moreover, the river basin commissions are a tiny portion of the federal budget. In FY 96 — the last year SRBC was funded -- the total federal contribution to SRBC was $568,000. As you know, 75 percent of SRBC funding derives from the states of Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. We need the kind of effective federal-state partnership on regional environmental issues that SRBC represents. I urge you to help us protect the Susquehanna River and other nearby waterways. As you are well aware, the Chesapeake Bay is a renowned national treasure. The federal government has invested significant dollars for the purpose of restoring and protecting the Bay. By supporting SRBC, we will ensure that this important environmental and economic resource endures for future generations. Sincerely, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress cc: Secretary Bruce Babbitt Franklin Raines, OMB T. J. Glauthier, OMB Rick Mertens, OMB SRBC