[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 725 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 725

Recognizing the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 10, 2007

 Mr. Blumenauer (for himself, Mr. Dingell, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. 
 Gilchrest, Mr. Hall of New York, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, 
    and Mr. Oberstar) submitted the following resolution; which was 
     referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, and for other 
                               purposes.

Whereas clean water is a natural resource of tremendous value and importance to 
        the Nation;
Whereas there is resounding public support for protecting and enhancing the 
        quality of the Nation's rivers, streams, lakes, marine waters, and 
        wetlands;
Whereas maintaining and improving water quality is essential to protect public 
        health, fisheries, wildlife, and watersheds and to ensure abundant 
        opportunities for public recreation and economic development;
Whereas it is a national responsibility to provide clean water for future 
        generations;
Whereas since the enactment of the Clean Water Act in 1972, substantial progress 
        has been made in protecting and enhancing water quality due to a 
        deliberate and national effort to protect the Nation's waters;
Whereas substantial improvements to the Nation's water quality have resulted 
        from a successful partnership among Federal, State, and local 
        governments, the private sector, and the public;
Whereas serious water pollution problems persist throughout the Nation and 
        significant challenges lie ahead in the effort to protect water 
        resources from point and nonpoint sources of pollution and to maintain 
        the Nation's commitment to a ``no net loss'' of wetlands;
Whereas the Nation's decaying water infrastructure and a lack of available 
        funding to maintain and upgrade the Nation's wastewater infrastructure 
        pose a serious threat to the water quality improvements achieved over 
        the past 35 years;
Whereas the Environmental Protection Agency, the Congressional Budget Office, 
        and other stakeholders have identified a funding gap of between 
        $300,000,000,000 and $400,000,000,000 over the next 20 years for the 
        restoration and replacement of wastewater infrastructure;
Whereas further development and innovation of water pollution control programs 
        and advancement of water pollution control research, technology, and 
        education are necessary and desirable; and
Whereas October 18, 2007, is the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Clean 
        Water Act: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the 35th anniversary of the Federal Water 
        Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act);
            (2) recommits itself to restoring and maintaining the 
        chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's 
        waters in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Clean 
        Water Act;
            (3) dedicates itself to working toward a sustainable, long-
        term solution to address the Nation's decaying water 
        infrastructure; and
            (4) encourages the public and all levels of government--
                    (A) to recognize and celebrate the Nation's 
                accomplishments under the Clean Water Act; and
                    (B) to renew their commitment to restoring and 
                protecting the Nation's rivers, lakes, streams, marine 
                waters, and wetlands for future generations.
                                 <all>