[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 144 (Monday, October 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12433-S12434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  1998 WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT

 Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to make some remarks regarding S. 2131, the Water Resources 
Development Act which passed the Senate by unanimous consent on October 
8, 1998.
  I would like to first thank my colleague Senator Mack from Florida 
for his partnership on our efforts to produce a WRDA bill that reflects 
the needs of our State. I would also like to thank Senator Chafee, 
Sentor Baucus, and Senator Warner for their leadership on this critical 
piece of legislation. The 1998 WRDA bill includes many key items for 
the State of Florida, a few of which I would like to highlight today.
  As you know, water issues in Florida include everything from coastal 
protection to inland water quality management and from statewide 
drought to statewide flooding. Our history dealing with water resources 
has caused some of our own problems that we seek to correct today.
  In the area of the Everglades and South Florida Ecosystem 
Restoration: The Everglades restoration project is the largest 
restoration program in the world. This vast region, which is home to 
more than six million Americans, seven of the ten fastest growing 
cities in the country, a huge tourism industry, and a large 
agricultural economy, also encompasses one of the world's unique 
environmental resources. Over the past 100 years, manmade changes to 
the region's water flow have provided important economic benefits to 
the region, but have also had devastating effects on the environment. 
Biological indicators in the form of native flora and fauna have shown 
severe damage throughout south Florida.
  The work of the Army Corps of Engineers is essential to this 
restoration effort. The critical projects authorized in WRDA 1996 have 
demonstrated substantial success. The South Florida Ecosystem 
Restoration Task Force, the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable 
South Florida, local sponsors, and the Army Corps have completed a 
review of over 100 potential projects, narrowed the list to 35 and 
ranked them in order of priority for accelerating the restoration of 
the South Florida ecosystem.
  In addition to this extension, the WRDA 1998 bill includes a $27 
million authorization for the Hillsboro and Okeechobee Aquifer Storage 
and Recovery Project. This technology is presently used to create 
subsurface reservoirs for drinking water. The Army Corps is considering 
the use of Aquifer Storage and Recovery as a water storage technology 
for use in implementation of the Restudy. Our action to authorize work 
on this project will allow early evaluation of the viability of this 
technology.
  Finally, the WRDA 1998 bill includes clarifying language that 
expenditures by the state of Florida for land acquisitions in the 
Caloosahatchee River basin are eligible for Federal reimbursement if 
they are identified as part of the restudy when it is released in July 
1999. Our action assures the State of Florida that acquired lands that 
become part of the restudy will be eligible for Federal reimbursement.
  In the area of water supply: One of the unique aspects of the Florida 
water system is that we frequently experience periods of drought and 
periods of flooding. This is the nature of a system that has been 
modified by human manipulation of natural flowways. In the State of 
Florida, our growing population coupled with the need to protect our 
natural systems has created a water quality challenge. From 1995 to 
1996, Florida added 260,000 new residents, or the equivalent of four 
new Daytona Beaches. Between 1980 to 1995, Florida's public water 
supply needs increased 43 percent more than double the national average 
of 16 percent. This shows no signs of slowing down. Today, Florida 
continues to grow at the rate of more than 800 people per day.
  Many other States on the eastern seaboard face similar challenges. 
For example, a recent article in New Jersey Monthly stated that New 
Jersey leads the nation in the percentage of land mass that is 
classified as having a high vulnerability for serious water quality 
problems. According to the U.S. EPA, more than 66 percent of the State 
falls into the most precarious category for water quality.
  In addition, as early as 1983, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study 
stated that deficits in water supply for the area in Virginia south of 
the James River are projected to be as much as 60 million gallons per 
day by the year 2030. Ground water withdrawals have caused water level 
declines of as much as 200 feet in some areas. In the State of New 
York, water levels in aquifers are predicted to decline by as much as 
18 feet and low flows in streams may be decreased by 90 percent in 
parts of Long Island.
  In each of these cases, water supply is tied to water quality. 
Problems such as groundwater overpumping, damage of existing wetlands, 
and saltwater intrusion of aquifers can cause irreparable damage to our 
water systems and surrounding ecosystems. For example, since 1906 
wetland acreage in the State of Florida has shrunk by 46 percent 
resulting in a loss of both critical habitats and a key link in the 
replenishment of our aquifers. The development of alternative water 
sources that will help to resolve these types of issues and will allow 
States to provide for future water supply needs without sacrificing 
environmental protection is my goals.
  The WRDA 1998 bill includes a requirement for EPA to study water

[[Page S12434]]

availability and make recommendations on the adequacy of our existing 
water supply. The study will form the basis of future water supply 
programs. The State of Florida is already taking the water supply issue 
seriously, and in 1998 alone has budgeted $75 million in regional and 
State funds for development of alternative water supplies. I am looking 
forward to working with my colleagues on the Environment and Public 
Works Committee during the next Congress to address the water quality 
and water supply needs of the State of Florida.
  Together, these initiatives will protect the future of the State of 
Florida by protecting our water resources that are so critical to our 
environment and our economy.

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