[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 23 (Monday, March 7, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    CLEAN WATER ACT REAUTHORIZATION

                                 ______


                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 7, 1994

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to express my strong 
support for the Water Quality Act of 1994.
  Today we are taking a critical step toward meeting the clean water 
challenges now before our Nation. The Water Quality Act of 1994 sets 
out to improve the quality of our waters through placing greater 
emphasis and resources into the prevention of nonpoint sources of 
pollution, and by providing increased funding and greater flexibility 
for States working to improve their waters. When addressing America's 
clean water needs, estimated by EPA to be in the neighborhood of $137 
billion, we must apply our limited resources where they will have the 
greatest positive impact. I believe the Water Quality Act of 1994 will 
effectively address our Nation's clean water needs and I am pleased to 
be the original cosponsor of this measure.
  Over the past two decades the Clean Water Act has been the catalyst 
for significant improvements in the quality of our lakes, streams, and 
rivers. The wastewater treatment facilities that have been constructed 
with Clean Water Act funds are preventing tons of harmful pollutants 
from entering our waters every hour of every day. America's industries 
have also made enormous reductions in the quantity of toxics that are 
discharged into our waters, and their efforts should be recognized.
  However, America's waters are now facing new and often more elusive 
threats. Recent studies indicate that nonpoint sources of pollution are 
now responsible for over half of all pollutants in the Nation's surface 
waters. The Water Quality Act of 1994 acknowledges this fact, and 
shifts the focus of the Clean Water Act to meet this challenge.
  The measure introduced today established a new section of the Clean 
Water Act entitled ``State Watershed Management Programs.'' Under this 
section of the bill States will be encouraged to use a watershed-
holistic approach to managing their waters. The impacts of point and 
nonpoint sources of pollution will be looked at together--not as 
separate unrelated entities as is often the case today. Through this 
approach, resource application and pollution regulation can be better 
tuned to maximize water quality and minimize cost.
  The authorized funding levels for State nonpoint source programs will 
be more than doubled and State revolving fund [SRF] moneys will also be 
eligible for nonpoint source initiatives within designated watersheds. 
Nonpoint sources of pollution are a significant part of the water 
quality equation and funding levels should reflect this reality.
  The Water Quality Act of 1994 also provides States with the funding 
and flexibility required to achieve their clean water objectives. The 
funding levels authorized for the SRF will be increased to $3 billion 
in fiscal year 1995 and will increase by $500 million annually through 
the year 2000. The SRF approach to funding water infrastructure has 
been an invaluable tool in meeting clean water goals. Our bill 
continues to support the SRF with modifications designed to assure that 
small communities and poorer communities can participate in this loan 
program.
  The clean water proposal being introduced today will also bring 
needed regulatory relief in the areas of storm water and combined sewer 
overflows. These changes reflect our concern that tax dollars be spent 
where they will achieve the greatest water quality improvement.
  Arguably, no resource regulated by the Federal Government has a 
greater impact then water on the day-to-day lives of all Americans. 
Assuring that our Nation's surface waters are safe for human uses, 
commercial uses, and wildlife is a challenge that must be met.
  Chairman Mineta has done an excellent job in crafting an effective 
Clean Water Act reauthorization package and I encourage all of my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

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