[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 65 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             FUTURE FUNDING OF CLEAN WATER PROJECTS STUDIED

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB FRANKS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 1994

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing 
legislation directing the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] to 
conduct a study to identify future funding options for clean water 
infrastructure projects. I would like to thank Mr. Clinger, Mr. Zimmer, 
Mr. Bacchus of Florida, Mr. Neal of Massachusetts, Mr. Pallone, Mr. 
Gilchrest, Mr. Boehner, and Mr. Gingrich for supporting this 
legislation by becoming original cosponsors of H.R.     .
  According to a 1990 EPA survey, it is estimated that the capital 
investment necessary to meet existing clean water needs over the next 
20 years is $137 billion. The potential shortfall in funding for clean 
water infrastructure projects, e.g., sewage pipes, sewer mains, and 
wastewater treatment facilities, is due not out of a lack of commitment 
to clean water, but to the enormity of the Federal budget deficit. 
Until this gap in available resources can be addressed, flooding due to 
ancient water mains, or entire cities having to boil water to ensure 
its safety will become more and more commonplace. I believe that before 
our Nation can begin to reconstruct its water systems in earnest, 
funding sources must first be identified and examined. My legislation 
simply directs the EPA to conduct a study of this matter, so Congress 
can make an informed decision at the appropriate time.
  Mr. Speaker, I may offer my bill as an amendment to the Clean Water 
Act reauthorization, H.R. 3948, when that legislation is marked up by 
the House Public Works and Transportation Committee, of which I am a 
member, sometime in the next few weeks. I am also pleased that my bill 
was made part of the bipartisan alternative to H.R. 3948, which was 
written largely by Representatives Shuster and Hayes.
  Mr. Speaker, the Clean Water Act has been tremendously successful in 
cleaning our Nation's waterways, and I believe this legislation can 
play an important role in that law's continued success. I invite my 
colleagues to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation.

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