FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2007 CONTACT:
Peter Rafle (EPW Committee)
(202) 228-3102
peter_rafle@epw.senate.gov


SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE HOLDS WETLANDS, LANDFILLS AND LEVEES HEARING IN NEW ORLEANS
Senators to review strategies to protect La. communities


The United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will conduct a hearing on Monday, February 26, 2007 in New Orleans to receive testimony on comprehensive approaches to coastal wetlands restoration and hurricane and storm damage protection, and debris waste management following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Attending members of the committee are listed below. In addition, the committee has invited Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, to participate in its review of these critical issues.

Scheduled federal witnesses: Assistant Secretary of the Army John Paul Woodley; Gen. Don Riley, Army Corps of Engineers; and Richard Green, Environmental Protection Agency Region 6.
Scheduled witnesses to discuss Louisiana’s commitment to integrated flood protection and coastal restoration: Sidney Coffee, Chair, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana; Randy Roach, Mayor, Lake Charles, La.; Tom Jackson, President, South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East; and Dr. Robert Twilley, Director, LSU Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute.
Scheduled witnesses to discuss waste disposal and landfills: Mike McDaniel, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality; Father Vien Nguyen; and Wilma Subra, environmental justice activist.

WHO:
U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.,
Chairman, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md.                  U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn                       U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La.
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La.
Chairman, Homeland Security Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery

WHAT: Environment and Public Works Committee field hearing
WHEN: Monday, February 26, 10 a.m. CST
Press availability to follow
WHERE: Louisiana Supreme Court building
400 Royal St.
New Orleans, La.

***Note: Special Credentials will be required for admission to the hearing. Please call Stephanie Allen at 202.224.0088 or Sen. Landrieu’s Press Hotline at 202.224.4893. There is limited space in the courtroom.

Also, the Louisiana Supreme Court requires permits for satellite trucks to park on the street and go live from the hearing. Permits must be requested by COB Thursday, Feb 22. Please call 202.224.0088 or 202.224.4893 for more information.***

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