[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     OCEAN POLLUTION REDUCTION ACT

                                 ______


                               speech of

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 1994

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill that will 
amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to San Diego 
ocean discharge and waste water reclamation.
  The intent of this legislation is to allow San Diego to treat its 
sewage in a cost-effective, as well as environmentally safe, manner.
  Current law requires every city, no matter its environmental 
conditions, to handle sewage at the secondary level. However, study 
after study has concluded that sewage treated at advanced primary 
levels and released into ocean depths greater than 300 feet does not 
harm the environment. With this in mind, it seems senseless to 
appropriate billions of dollars to upgrade a system to secondary 
treatment when our ocean waters are protected at the primary levels.
  I am encouraged that this bill would allow the city of San Diego to 
apply for a modification of the requirements regarding biological 
oxygen demand and total suspended solids in the effluent discharged 
into marine waters. This bill will ensure that such modifications will 
not alter the balance of our marine life and viability.
  As a member of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, I have 
immense concerns for the proper treatment of our waters. San Diego is 
unique in its ability to discharge of its waste into deep waters. We 
are unlike so many cities that must discharge into lakes and rivers.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe this is a matter of common sense. Under 
current law, San Diego would be required to waste money to alter a 
system that has proven successful.

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