mittee on water resources, so we do have a joint interest in the hearings here today. My subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Federal water pollotion control program as it affects navigable waters. It's always a pleasure to work with the Louisiana delegation. The issue being considered today is narrow in scope, but critical to the future of our Nation. The delays we have experienced in cul and gas leases have been costly, as John has pointed out, both in terms of investment, and certainly in potential energy loss. We must determine the best way to develop the energy sources, and the need to protect the wetlands. This is a highly emotional issue, but we are here today to look beyond the emotions to the facts so that we can assess the real nature of the problem and attempt to do something about it. This not only applies to oil and gas, but to a great many other water projects. Some of them have been held up for years. The cost to the Federal Government has multiplied on projects that are already approved by the committees and by the Congress. Through these hearings today, we should be better able to determine whether administrative or legislative action is appropriate, and I'm delighted to be able to participate in the hearing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. BREAUX. Thank you, Mr. Roberts. Mr. Hughes, any opening comments? Mr. HUGHES. No, Mr. Chairman, I don't have an opening statement. I think that both you and our colleague from Texas, the cochairman of these meetings, have very nicely outlined the problem. I just want to commend both you and the chairman of the Public Works Subcommittee for the leadership in this area. In my own area in New Jersey, I find that the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act is just not working, and we have the same difficulties you're experiencing in this part of the country. At a time when the Army Corps is now negotiating a new memorandum of understanding, I think it's so important that we try to identify the problems so that we can resolve the disputes. It's just unfortunate that we have the kind of confrontation that we seem to be leading to. As you well know, the Endangered Species Act was a good example of conflicts that just could not be resolved, and as a result, unfortunately, I think that we ended up with less than an adequate process. It's my hope that from these hearings will come the kind of legislative initiatives that will resolve some of the impasses we now experience in the area of filling of wetlands and related areas. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. BREAUX. Thank the gentleman from New Jersey. He makes a good point. Just for the record, and for the benefit of the members in the audience, the specific problem we are discussing today is a Louisiana problem. The gentleman from New Jersey points out that he, in a different perspective, is experiencing the exact same type of problem in New Jersey, and we'll be scheduling hearings there. We'll be joined later by a gentleman from Texas, Mr. Wyatt, who is also experiencing the same type problem in connection with a different type of project in his respective district over in Texas. In this sense, it's a national problem. COORDINATION ACT-LACEY ACT HEARINGS BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE OF THE COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES NINETY-SIXTH CONGRESS ON FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT (JOINT HEARING WITH SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND |