We have realized after 50 years of tackling the pollution problem that to be [effective] we need laws, not just voluntary agreements.

If we, as Idahoans, allow that plant to come into the Magic Valley, we have got more pollution coming out of our mouths than those smokestacks will ever create. Dollars will buy it and dollars will kill us.

The economic and technological triumphs of the past few years have not solved as many problems as we thought they would, and, in fact, have brought us new problems we did not foresee.

The Bay is cleaner than it was 40 years ago when raw sewage and industrial pollution were dumped directly into it. While the pollution from business and point sources is strictly regulated, storm water pollution from our cars, homes and neighborhoods is still a major problem.

We in Government have begun to recognize the critical work which must be done at all levels--local, State and Federal--in ending the pollution of our waters.

In 22 states parents can’t take kids fishing and eat the fish if they’re lucky enough to catch anything because of mercury. Think about that. In 44% of all river bodies and streams it’s not safe to fish or swim. And yet industrial polluters continue to block legislation that would prevent mercury and MTBE from polluting our water supplies and leaving children with debilitating diseases.