[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H9954-H9957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECLAMATION RECYCLING AND WATER CONSERVATION ACT OF 1996

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3660) to make amendments to the Reclamation Wastewater and 
Groundwater Study and Facilities Act, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3660

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Reclamation Recycling and 
     Water Conservation Act of 1996''.

     SEC. 2. WATER RECYCLING PROJECTS.

       (a) In General.--The Reclamation Projects Authorization and 
     Adjustment Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 1615, 1616, and 1617 as 
     sections 1631, 1632, and 1633, respectively, and
       (2) by inserting after section 1614 the following new 
     sections:

     ``SEC. 1615. NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY AREA WATER RECYCLING 
                   PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and local authorities, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     North San Diego County Area Water Recycling Project, 
     consisting of projects to reclaim and reuse water within 
     service areas of the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, the 
     Leucadia County Water District, the City of Carlsbad, and the 
     Olivenhain Municipal Water District, California.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1616. CALLEGUAS MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT RECYCLING 
                   PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and local authorities, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Project to 
     reclaim and reuse water in the service area of the Calleguas 
     Municipal Water District in Ventura County, California.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1617. CENTRAL VALLEY WATER RECYCLING PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and local authorities, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     Central Valley Water Recycling Project to reclaim and reuse 
     water in the service areas of the Central Valley Reclamation 
     Facility and the Salt Lake County Water Conservancy District 
     in Utah.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1618. ST. GEORGE AREA WATER RECYCLING PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and local authorities, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     St. George Area Water Recycling Project to reclaim and reuse 
     water in the service area of the Washington County Water 
     Conservancy District in Utah.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1619. WATSONVILLE AREA WATER RECYCLING PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the City of Watsonville, California, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     Watsonville Area Water Recycling Project to reclaim and reuse 
     water in the Pajaro Valley in Santa Cruz County, California.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1620. SOUTHERN NEVADA WATER RECYCLING PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and

[[Page H9955]]

     local authorities, is authorized to participate in the 
     design, planning, and construction of the Southern Nevada 
     Water Recycling Project to reclaim and reuse water in the 
     service area of the Southern Nevada Water Authority in Clark 
     County, Nevada.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1621. ALBUQUERQUE METROPOLITAN AREA WATER RECLAMATION 
                   AND REUSE STUDY.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is authorized to 
     participate in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area Water 
     Reclamation and Reuse Study to reclaim and reuse industrial 
     and municipal wastewater and reclaim and use naturally 
     impaired ground water in the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1622. EL PASO WATER RECLAMATION AND REUSE PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and local authorities, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     El Paso Water Reclamation and Reuse Project to reclaim and 
     reuse wastewater in the service area of the El Paso Water 
     Utilities Public Service Board, El Paso, Texas.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1623. RECLAIMED WATER IN PASADENA.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and local authorities, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     City of Pasadena, California, reclaimed water project to 
     obtain, store, and use reclaimed water in Pasadena and its 
     service area, as well as neighboring communities.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1624. PHASE 1 OF THE ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL WATER 
                   RECLAMATION PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and local authorities, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of 
     phase 1 of the Orange County Regional Water Reclamation 
     Project, to reclaim and reuse water within the service area 
     of the Orange County Water District in California.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1625. CITY OF WEST JORDAN WATER REUSE PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the City of West Jordan, Utah, is authorized to participate 
     in the design, planning, and construction of the City of West 
     Jordan Water Reuse Project to recycle and reuse water in its 
     service area from the South Valley Water Reclamation Facility 
     Discharge Waters in Utah.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1626. HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT IN YUCCA VALLEY, 
                   CALIFORNIA WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND REUSE 
                   FACILITY.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and local authorities, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     Hi-Desert Water District in Yucca Valley, California 
     wastewater collection and reuse facility.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1627. MISSION BASIN BRACKISH GROUNDWATER DESALTING 
                   DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the City of Oceanside, is authorized to participate in the 
     design, planning, and construction of a 3,000,000 gallon per 
     day expansion of the Mission Basin Brackish Groundwater 
     Desalting Demonstration Project in Oceanside, California.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1628. TREATMENT OF EFFLUENT FROM THE SANITATION 
                   DISTRICTS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY THROUGH THE 
                   CITY OF LONG BEACH.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the Water Replenishment District of Southern California, the 
     Orange County Water District in the State of California, and 
     other appropriate authorities, is authorized to participate 
     in the design, planning, and construction of water 
     reclamation and reuse projects to treat approximately 10,000 
     acre-feet per year of effluent from the sanitation districts 
     of Los Angeles County through the city of Long Beach.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1629. SAN JOAQUIN AREA WATER RECYCLING AND REUSE 
                   PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     the appropriate State and local authorities, is authorized to 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     San Joaquin Area Water Recycling and Reuse Project, in 
     cooperation with the City of Tracy, and consisting of 
     participating projects which will reclaim and reuse water 
     within the County of San Joaquin in California.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1630. TOOELE WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND REUSE PROJECT.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     Tooele City, Utah, is authorized to participate in the 
     design, planning, and construction of the Tooele Wastewater 
     Treatment and Reuse Project.
       ``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the total cost.
       ``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds 
     for the operation or maintenance of a project described in 
     subsection (a).''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 1631 of such Act, as redesignated by subsection 
     (a)(1), is amended by striking out ``1614'' and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``1630''.
       (2) Section 1632(c) of such Act, as redesignated by 
     subsection (a)(1), is amended by striking out ``section 
     1617'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``section 1633''.
       (3) Section 1633 of such Act, as redesignated by subsection 
     (a)(1), is amended by striking out ``section 1616'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``section 1632''.
       (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections in section 
     2 of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment 
     Act of 1992 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 1615, 
     1616, and 1617 as items relating to sections 1631, 1632, and 
     1633, respectively, and
       (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 1614 
     the following new items:

``Sec. 1615. North San Diego County Area Water Recycling Project.
``Sec. 1616. Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Project.
``Sec. 1617. Central Valley Water Recycling Project.
``Sec. 1618. St. George Area Water Recycling Project.
``Sec. 1619. Watsonville Area Water Recycling Project.
``Sec. 1620. Southern Nevada Water Recycling Project.
``Sec. 1621. Albuquerque Metropolitan Area Water Reclamation and Reuse 
              Study.
``Sec. 1622. El Paso Water Reclamation and Reuse Project.
``Sec. 1623. Reclaimed Water in Pasadena.
``Sec. 1624. Phase 1 of the Orange County Regional Water Reclamation 
              Project.
``Sec. 1625. City of West Jordan Water Reuse Project.
``Sec. 1626. Hi-Desert Water District in Yucca Valley, California 
              Wastewater Collection and Reuse Facility.
``Sec. 1627. Mission Basin Brackish Groundwater Desalting Demonstration 
              Project.
``Sec. 1628. Treatment of effluent from the sanitation districts of Los 
              Angeles County through the City of Long Beach.
``Sec. 1629. San Joaquin Area Water Recycling and Reuse Project.
``Sec. 1630. Tooele Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Project.''.

     SEC. 3. APPRAISAL INVESTIGATIONS.

       Section 1603(b) of (43 U.S.C. 390h-1(b)) is amended in the 
     matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting ``by the 
     Secretary or the non-Federal project sponsor'' after 
     ``undertaken''.

     SEC. 4. FEASIBILITY STUDIES.

       Section 1604(c) of the Reclamation Projects Authorization 
     and Adjustment Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 390h-2(c)) is amended--

[[Page H9956]]

       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``authorized'' and inserting ``conducted by the Secretary or 
     the non-Federal project sponsor'';
       (2) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by inserting ``at least two alternative'' after 
     ``(3)'',
       (B) by striking ``and'' after ``measures'' and inserting 
     ``or'', and
       (C) by inserting ``for the project under consideration'' 
     after ``reuse'';
       (3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and,'' at the end;
       (4) in paragraph (5), by striking ``or'' at the end of 
     subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of 
     subparagraph (B) and inserting ``, or'', and by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(C) reduce the demand on existing Federal water supply 
     facilities,;''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) the market or dedicated use for reclaimed water in 
     the project's service area; and
       ``(7) the financial capability of the non-Federal project 
     sponsor to fund its proportionate share of the project's 
     construction costs on an annual basis.''.

     SEC. 5. DESALINATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

       Section 1605 of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and 
     Adjustment Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 390h-3) is amended--
       (1) by designating the existing text as subsection (a); and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b)(1) The Secretary, in cooperation with the city of 
     Long Beach, the Central Basin Municipal Water District, and 
     the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California may 
     participate in the design, planning, and construction of the 
     Long Beach Desalination Research and Development Project in 
     Los Angeles County, California.
       ``(2) The Federal share of the cost of the project 
     described in paragraph (1) shall not exceed 50 percent of the 
     total.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall not provide funds for the 
     operation or maintenance of the project described in 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(c)(1) The Secretary, in cooperation with the Southern 
     Nevada Water Authority, may participate in the design, 
     planning, and construction of the Las Vegas Area Shallow 
     Aquifer Desalination Research and Development Project in 
     Clark County, Nevada.
       ``(2) The Federal share of the cost of the project 
     described in paragraph (1) shall not exceed 50 percent of the 
     total.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall not provide funds for the 
     operation or maintenance of the project described in 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(d) A Federal contribution in excess of 25 percent for a 
     project under this section may not be made until after the 
     Secretary determines that the project is not feasible without 
     such Federal contribution.''.

     SEC. 6. SAN FRANCISCO AREA WATER RECLAMATION STUDY.

       Section 1611(c) of the Reclamation Projects Authorization 
     and Adjustment Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 390h-9(c)) is amended 
     by striking ``four'' and inserting ``five''.

     SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 1631 of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and 
     Adjustment Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 390h-13), as amended by 
     section 2 of this Act, is amended by inserting ``(a)'' before 
     ``There are authorized'' and by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(b)(1) Funds may not be appropriated for the construction 
     of any project authorized by this title until after--
       ``(A) an appraisal investigation and a feasibility study 
     that complies with the provisions of sections 1603(b) or 
     1604(c), as the case may be, have been completed by the 
     Secretary or the non-Federal project sponsor;
       ``(B) the Secretary has determined that the non-Federal 
     project sponsor is financially capable of funding the non-
     Federal share of the project's costs; and
       ``(C) the Secretary has approved a cost-sharing agreement 
     with the non-Federal project sponsor which commits the non-
     Federal project sponsor to funding its proportionate share of 
     the project's construction costs on an annual basis.
       ``(2) The requirements of paragraph (1) shall not apply to 
     those projects authorized by this title for which funds were 
     appropriated prior to January 1, 1996.
       ``(c) The Secretary shall notify the Committees on 
     Resources and Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and 
     Appropriations of the Senate within 30 days after the signing 
     of a cost-sharing agreement pursuant to subsection (b) that 
     such an agreement has been signed and that the Secretary has 
     determined that the non-Federal project sponsor is 
     financially capable of funding the project's non-Federal 
     share of the project's costs.
       ``(d)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title 
     and except as provided by paragraph (2), the Federal share of 
     the costs of each of the individual projects authorized by 
     this title shall not exceed $20,000,000 (October 1996 
     prices).
       ``(2) In the case of any project authorized by this title 
     for which construction funds were appropriated before January 
     1, 1996, the Federal share of the cost of such project may 
     not exceed the amount specified as the `total Federal 
     obligation' for that project in the budget justification made 
     by the Bureau of Reclamation for fiscal year 1997, as 
     contained in part 3 of the report of the hearing held on 
     March 27, 1996, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
     Development of the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
     of Representatives.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Doolittle] and the gentleman from California [Mr. 
Miller] each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle].
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. DOOLITTLE asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3660. This bill 
would amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and 
Facilities Act of 1992 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
participate in the design, planning and construction of additional 
water recycling and reuse projects.
  This water reuse program, administered by the Bureau of Reclamation, 
is an important tool for western communities. At a time when few dams 
and storage reservoirs are being constructed in the arid West, water 
reuse is an ideal means of increasing the water supply in certain 
areas. Several of the projects authorized in this bill would use 
reclaimed water for groundwater recharge, industrial applications, 
irrigation, or municipal landscaping. Using reclaimed water for these 
purposes stretches potable water supplies, and reduces the demand on 
overdrafted groundwater aquifers and surface water supplies.
  This bill limits the Federal cost share for most of these reuse 
projects to 25 percent of the design and construction costs, and does 
not authorize any funds for operation and maintenance expenses. Title 
to all projects under this bill, as well as those authorized under the 
1992 act, would be held by the non-Federal project sponsors.
  In an effort to establish more stringent criteria for projects 
receiving initial Federal funding after January 1, 1996, the bill makes 
certain changes to the underlying 1992 act. Those changes include 
requirements that appraisal investigations and feasibility studies be 
conducted before funds can be appropriated for the project, and that a 
cost-sharing agreement between the Secretary and the non-Federal 
sponsor be signed. Finally, H.R. 3660 establishes a cap on the Federal 
share of the costs for an individual project, not to exceed $20 million 
for any project not already receiving Federal funding.
  H.R. 3660 expands an important water reuse program that can help 
solve the growing water supply problems facing many western communities 
and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  (Mr. MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 
legislation.
  H.R. 3660 amends title 16 of the Reclamation Projects Authorization 
and Adjustment Act of 1992 to authorize a number of new projects for 
wastewater reclamation and reuse, and two new desalting projects.
  I generally support the provisions of this legislation. I note, 
however, that H.R. 3660 is the largest Western water project 
authorization bill reported by the Committee on Resources in the 104th 
Congress, with a potential Federal cost of more than $150 million. 
Several of the projects authorized in this bill have not been subject 
to hearings by the Resources Committee.
  The bill sets some important new requirements for Federal 
participation in these wastewater reclamation projects:
  Project sponsors must prepare appraisal studies and feasibility-level 
studies before seeking Federal appropriations; my understanding of this 
bill is that NEPA compliance is not waived.
  Local sponsors must be able to demonstrate that they can meet cost-
sharing requirements.
  Meaningful cost-sharing agreements must be executed.
  In this bill, the Federal share for wastewater reclamation and reuse 
projects is limited to 25 percent of the total project cost, and the 
Federal share of each wastewater reclamation project is capped at $20 
million. The $20 million per project cap on Federal

[[Page H9957]]

funding and the strict requirements for receiving Federal assistance 
are appropriate and welcome additions to this bill.
  The two desalination projects provide for Federal contributions up to 
50 percent of the total project costs, and Federal contributions for 
these projects are also capped at $20 million.
  Wastewater reclamation and reuse projects are a valuable tool for 
water management in the Western United States; these projects can be 
used as an alternative to more expensive and environmentally 
destructive traditional water projects. This legislation will 
undoubtedly encourage many communities in our heavily populated Western 
States to proceed with water recycling projects that will reduce the 
demand on scarce freshwater supplies. As we consider appropriations 
requests for these projects in years to come, Members will have to 
decide whether the relatively high costs of these projects make them 
worthwhile.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3660.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Cunningham].
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3660. 
This bill will provide an important piece of proenvironment legislation 
which will assist our local communities to build and design water 
reclamation and recycling projects.
  My district in San Diego County is almost entirely dependent upon 
imported water for its industrial, residential, and agricultural water 
supply needs. The majority of the imported water that reaches my 
congressional district originates in northern California or the 
Colorado River and is transported through a series of aqueducts and 
pipelines that cross over the San Andreas earthquake fault. As such, 
water supply in northern San Diego County is a limited resource that is 
consistently at risk due to drought, demands elsewhere in the State, 
and natural disasters.
  To minimize the potential risks to our water supply, water districts 
in my congressional district have embarked on a number of water 
conservation and reuse initiatives designed to reduce demand and 
provide alternative supplies for nonpotable applications. One of these 
initiatives is the north San Diego County Area Water Recycling Project. 
This project is a cooperative effort between the Leucadia County Water 
District, the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, the Olivenhain 
Municipal Water District, and the city of Carlsbad, CA. When completed, 
the combined production of the two treatment plants will be up to 25 
million gallons per day of recycled water. This water can be used for 
landscaping, golf courses, schools, nurseries, agricultural irrigation 
and industrial applications.
  Reclaimed water is an increasingly important element in California's 
water supply. Regional reclamation projects like this are expected to 
meet a large portion of California's future water supply needs. 
Implementation of these projects will reduce the San Diego region's 
reliance on imported water and produce both economic and environmental 
benefits for all Californians.
  I would like to thank the committee and the chairman for bringing 
this bill forward and ask that my colleagues support H.R. 3660.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3360 because it 
authorizes phase 1 of the Orange County Water Reclamation Project near 
my congressional district.
  I particularly want to thank chairman Doolittle, chairman Hansen, and 
chairman Young for their support and willingness to include my project 
in their legislation.
  Last Congress, I introduced a free-standing bill, H.R. 4987, with 
Congressmen Cox, Dornan, Packard, and Royce to authorize the entire 
Orange County Water Reclamation Project.
  This project is vital to the long-term water supply of Orange County 
and the environmental health of the Santa Ana River. As you know, the 
long-term water supply outlook for my constituents in Orange County is 
bleak. Over the next several years, southern California will lose 
Colorado River Water to Arizona, and it's doubtful that significant new 
supplies will come from the north.
  In short, we have very few water options in southern California. It 
is critical that we make the most of our existing supplies and recycle 
water wherever possible.
  Phase 1 of this project will capture 50,000 acre feet of secondary 
effluent water per year [AFY] from the county sanitation district, 
clean it, and then pump the recycled water to parks, industrial water 
users and the Santa Ana River water recharge basins.
  Rather than dump the effluent water into the Santa Ana and the 
Pacific Ocean, we can clean it, use it for parks and industrial 
purposes, and recharge our ground water basins.
  When phase 2 and 3 of the project are completed, Orange County will 
recycle 100,000 acre feet of water per year. That's enough water for 
400,000 constituents.
  This is a win-win project for the environment and water users.
  Again, let me thank the chairman and the Orange County delegation for 
their support of my project.
  The committee has put together a fine bill, and I urge all of my 
colleagues to vote for its passage.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, in 1992, Congress passed into law the 
Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act, which authorized 
the Bureau of Reclamation to contribute up to 25 percent of the cost of 
designing and constructing water recycling and reuse projects.
  This program provides a sensible and lasting solution to the growing 
problem of dwindling municipal, industrial, and agricultural water 
supplies in many areas of the country. It will also help preserve and 
protect environmentally sensitive watersheds by reducing demands for 
freshwater supplies and by cutting back on wastewater discharges into 
sensitive bays and estuaries.
  H.R. 3660 amends title XVI of the Reclamation Projects Authorization 
and Adjustment Act of 1992, to include additional worthy water reuse 
and recycling projects not named in the original bill.
  Economically and environmentally, the next step to guaranteeing more 
dependable and cheaper supplies of water is water reuse and recycling. 
Recycling programs treat wastewater that can be safely used to irrigate 
crops, land, golf courses, freeway medians, and replenish groundwater 
basins as well as supply water to industry.
  Because of the success of title XVI, communities from around the 
country are looking to water recycling as an effective way to serve 
their customers in an environmentally friendly manner. This program is 
a unique win-win program which goes a long way toward preparing for the 
future, preserving fresh water reserves, easing the burden of Federal 
mandates and protecting our environment.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this amendment, and I would 
like to thank you and subcommittee chairman Mr. Doolittle for your 
assistance with this measure.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill. I have no 
further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Wicker). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3660, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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