[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H1422-H1426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SAN GABRIEL BASIN WATER QUALITY INITIATIVE
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 910) to authorize the Secretary of the Army, acting through
the Chief of Engineers and in coordination with other Federal agency
heads, to participate in the funding and implementation of a balanced,
long-term solution to the problems of groundwater contamination, water
supply, and reliability affecting the San Gabriel groundwater basin in
California, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 910
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 ``San Gabriel Basin Water
Quality Initiative''.
SEC. 2. SAN GABRIEL BASIN RESTORATION.
(a) San Gabriel Basin Restoration.--
(1) Establishment of fund.--There shall be established
within the Treasury of the United States an interest bearing
account to be known as the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund
(in this section referred to as the ``Restoration Fund'').
(2) Administration of fund.--The Restoration Fund shall be
administered by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the
Chief of Engineers (in this Act referred to as the
``Secretary''). The Secretary shall administer the Fund in
cooperation with the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality
Authority, or its successor agency.
(3) Purposes of fund.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the amounts
in the Restoration Fund, including interest accrued, shall be
utilized by the Secretary--
(i) to design and construct water quality projects to be
administered by the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority
and the Central Basin Water Quality Project to be
administered by the Central Basin Municipal Water District;
and
(ii) to operate and maintain any project constructed under
this section for such period as the Secretary determines, but
not to exceed 10 years, following the initial date of
operation of the project.
(B) Cost-sharing limitation.--The Secretary may not
obligate any funds appropriated to the Restoration Fund in a
fiscal year until the Secretary has deposited in the Fund
an amount provided by non-Federal interests sufficient to
ensure that at least 35 percent of any funds obligated by
the Secretary are from funds provided to the Secretary by
the non-Federal interests. The San Gabriel Basin Water
Quality Authority shall be responsible for providing the
non-Federal amount required by the preceding sentence. The
State of California, local government agencies, and
private entities may provide all or any portion of such
amount.
(b) Compliance With Applicable Law.--In carrying out the
activities described in this section, the Secretary shall
comply with any applicable Federal and State laws.
(c) Relationship to Other Activities.--Nothing in this
section shall be construed to affect other Federal or State
authorities that are being used or may be used to facilitate
the cleanup and protection of the San Gabriel and Central
groundwater basins. In carrying out the activities described
in this section, the Secretary shall integrate such
activities with ongoing Federal and State projects and
activities. None of the funds made available for such
activities pursuant to this section shall be counted against
any Federal authorization ceiling established for any
previously authorized Federal projects or activities.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Restoration Fund established under subsection (a)
$85,000,000. Such funds shall remain available until
expended.
(2) Set-aside.--Of the amounts appropriated under paragraph
(1), no more than $10,000,000 shall be available to carry out
the Central Basin Water Quality Project.
SEC. 3. PERCHLORATE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in cooperation with
Federal, State, and local government agencies, is authorized
to participate in studies and other investigative activities
and in the planning and design of projects determined by the
Secretary to offer a long-term solution to the problem of
groundwater contamination caused by perchlorates.
(b) Investigations and Projects.--
(1) Bosque and leon rivers.--The Secretary, in coordination
with other Federal agencies and the Brazos River Authority,
shall participate under subsection (a) in investigations and
projects in the Bosque and Leon River watersheds in Texas to
assess the impact of the perchlorate associated with the
former Naval ``Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant'' at
McGregor, Texas.
(2) Caddo lake.--The Secretary, in coordination with other
Federal agencies and the Northeast Texas Municipal Water
District, shall participate under subsection (a) in
investigations and projects relating to perchlorate
contamination in Caddo Lake, Texas.
(3) Eastern santa clara basin.--The Secretary, in
coordination with other Federal, State, and local government
agencies, shall participate under subsection (a) in
investigations and projects related to sites that are sources
of perchlorates and that are located in the city of Santa
Clarita, California.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purposes of
carrying out the activities authorized in this section, there
is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
$25,000,000, of which not to exceed $8,000,000 shall be
available to carry out subsection (b)(1), not to exceed
$3,000,000 shall be available to carry out subsection (b)(2),
and not to exceed $7,000,000 shall be available to carry out
subsection (b)(3).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Borski) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished chairman of
the Committee on Rules, who is the principal author of this legislation
and the driving force behind it.
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying first, I
serve on the Committee on Rules, and it is a great thrill to stand here
suspending the rules for consideration of this very important
legislation.
I want to congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster),
the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, my very good friend, whom I supported in his quest for
Whip 2 decades ago; and also the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Boehlert), the very distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment; along with the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Borski), the ranking minority member of the subcommittee.
Also, I would like to point to several of my colleagues from the San
Gabriel Valley, the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez), who is
here and who, in fact, reminded me of an event out in California that
they came to him and talked to him about introducing this legislation,
and I am very pleased that he has played a key role in helping to make
this possible; our colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Napolitano), who joined in cosponsoring; and also a very important
driving force behind this legislation has been my colleague, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan), with whom I share representation
of the City of Pasadena, which is in the San Gabriel Valley.
We are here for consideration of some legislation that is very, very
important not just for Southern California; but, in fact, for the rest
of the Nation.
[[Page H1423]]
I see the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions), my colleague from the
Committee on Rules, here on the floor. He is very concerned about the
discovery of perchlorates in groundwater, and it poses a very serious
threat to many parts of the country. So this legislation is not simply
geared towards dealing with the problem that has developed in Southern
California but for the entire Nation.
During the 1950s and 1960s, when we were in the midst of our buildup
which allowed us to win the Cold War, there were many companies which
legally, and I underscore the word ``legally,'' dumped spent rocket
fuel; and, in so doing, it has created problems which have just
recently come to the forefront.
I will say that we found that the threat of contaminated water in
Southern California could affect literally millions of people.
Literally millions of people could be affected by this.
And so, a very strong consensus plan was put together among those in
Southern California who deal with the water issue. I am pleased that,
in looking at that consensus plan, that we were able to come up with
legislation which is designed to provide $75 million for the cleanup
and then a very important $25 million to deal with research into ways
in which we can ensure that this problem will not expand in other parts
of the country.
And so I will say that I know that this very important environmental
legislation will enjoy strong bipartisan support, as has been evidenced
by those who serve on the committee of jurisdiction and other members
from around the country who I know are strongly committed to this.
I want to say that I believe we should move this as expeditiously as
possible. This is, in fact, a public-private partnership. I believe
that those who are responsible for dumping this spent rocket fuel
should be responsible. But unfortunately, many of those businesses
which are responsible are no longer in operation. And so that is why we
have had to step up to the plate and take on part of this
responsibility.
Now, we could have embarked on a big load of litigation. But would
those lawsuits do anything to clean up the groundwater contamination,
the threat that those perchlorates have? No.
And so that is why the responsible thing for us to do is to say to
those businesses which are still in existence, like Arrowjet and other
companies, that they need to shoulder part of this responsibility. But
at the same time, when we have businesses that are no longer there, to
make sure that we have clean drinking water in Southern California and
in the rest of the Nation, it is important for us to again step up to
the plate and take on the responsibility of cleaning it up and making
sure that we do not have a threat that is posed.
And so I am pleased with the very, very strong support that we have
enjoyed on this legislation. I hope very much that we will be able to
move it through both bodies. And while there was early indication that
the Army Corps of Engineers and the White House was less than
supportive on this, I am convinced that President Clinton will want to
join this strong bipartisan coalition and lend his support for this
very important measure.
I again thank my very good friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Shuster), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski), and the leadership of their
committee and the subcommittee for the expeditious way in which they
have moved this very responsible legislation.
Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. BORSKI asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BORKSI. Mr. Speaker, the San Gabriel Basin is facing a serious
water quality and public health problem. The groundwater aquifer
underlying this basin has been contaminated with a variety of hazardous
substances, threatening the primary water supply of over 1.5 million
people in Southern California.
There is also evidence that this contamination may be spreading to
the surrounding aquifers that supply drinking water for a majority of
the residents of Los Angeles County.
I want to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), our
distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules; the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Napolitano); the gentleman from California (Mr.
Martinez); and the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn), a valuable
member of our committee; and the entire area delegation for bringing
this matter to the attention of the committee and for their efforts to
address the cleanup of contaminated groundwater in the San Gabriel
Basin.
The bill we are considering today would authorize the creation of a
restoration fund to approve water quality within the basin. Monies from
this fund could be used by the Secretary of the Army in conjunction
with local water quality authorities to construct, operate, and
maintain projects within the San Gabriel Basin.
{time} 1430
This legislation would authorize funding for the design, planning,
and construction of water quality projects in the Central Basin region
of California. It is envisioned that these projects would be helpful in
halting the spread of perchlorate contamination into the neighboring
aquifers.
Mr. Speaker, portions of the San Gabriel Basin have been designated
as a Superfund site. That program assigns liability for cleanup costs
to responsible parties. Nothing in this bill affects the application of
Superfund's liability provisions to the recovery of the Secretary's
costs under this bill. As the committee report clearly states, nothing
limits the authority of the United States to pursue remedial action and
to recover its costs from responsible parties, including the costs of
work performed under this bill. I fully expect the Secretary of the
Army to exercise his fiduciary responsibilities and recover
expenditures made under this bill from responsible parties where such
costs are recoverable under Federal or State law.
Finally, this bill would include within the existing studies,
investigations and projects on perchlorate contamination an
authorization that certain amounts be used to address contamination at
designated sites in Texas and California. These projects are authorized
to develop new and innovative solutions to the problem of groundwater
contamination caused by perchlorates. I want to commend the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Edwards) and our committee colleagues the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Lampson) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sandlin) for
their work on behalf of this provision.
I urge an ``aye'' vote on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the distinguished chairman of
our Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for
yielding me this time.
I rise in strong support of H.R. 910, a bill to clean up groundwater
contamination and protect water supply in the San Gabriel and Central
Basins in California.
Let me start out by first acknowledging the super efforts of the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), chairman of the
Committee on Rules, who brought this matter to our attention. He has
been a leader in this effort. I also wish to acknowledge the area's
bipartisan delegation, including the gentleman from California (Mr.
Horn) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald),
both of whom serve on the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. There are a whole lot of people responsible for the
success we are going to enjoy today, none more important than the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) the chairman of the full
committee and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) the ranking
Democrat as well as my partner, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Borski).
Contamination of the groundwater in the San Gabriel Basin was first
detected back in 1979. EPA placed the valley on the Superfund's
national priorities list in 1984. Here we are 16 years later with very
little progress.
At its hearing on this legislation last fall, the Subcommittee on
Water Resources and Environment learned that
[[Page H1424]]
contamination from the San Gabriel Basin has already spread into the
adjacent Central Basin aquifer. This groundwater contamination now
threatens the drinking water for half of Los Angeles County. That is
totally unacceptable.
Under H.R. 910, the Federal Government would assist the San Gabriel
Water Quality Authority in conducting groundwater cleanup projects, and
we provide $75 million for that purpose. We also authorize $25 million
for investigation into solutions to groundwater contamination caused by
perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel. As has been said so eloquently
by previous speakers, this is a must-do bill; and we should put it on a
fast track.
Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez), a Member representing the San
Gabriel area and one who worked very hard on this bill.
Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues on both
sides of the aisle today in support of H.R. 910, the San Gabriel Basin
Water Quality Initiative introduced by my good friend and San Gabriel
Valley neighbor, the chairman of the Committee on Rules the gentleman
from California (Mr. Dreier).
It is refreshing to sponsor and cosponsor legislation which not only
crosses party lines but is also strongly supported by
environmentalists, local government, and business. It is a bill that
came together because of the people who were concerned in that area in
an effort to try to avoid costly lawsuits and long litigation.
Since contaminants were discovered in the San Gabriel Valley water
supply some 20 years ago, there has been a concentrated effort to find
a solution that equitably distributes the responsibility for the
pollution while removing the contaminants from our water supply as
quickly as possible.
The rocket fuel contamination is a by-product of Federal contract
work. For years the Federal Government contracted with local firms to
produce greatly needed aircraft and rocket parts. Unknown to any at the
time, this production led to the leakage of rocket fuel and other
substances into the aquifer, polluting the area's groundwater supplies.
There is no question that the groundwater in the San Gabriel Valley is
contaminated. Over one-quarter of the 366 water supply wells in the San
Gabriel Valley have been contaminated, affecting approximately 1.4
million residents of the greater part of Los Angeles County. Much of
the water pollution is a product of Federal contract work. These
pollutants are rapidly making their way underground into the Central
Basin of Los Angeles County.
I strongly support H.R. 910, the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality
Initiative. H.R. 910 addresses the importance of researching rocket
fuel contamination and aims to stop the spread of contamination in an
economical and time sensitive manner. It is time for the Federal
Government to catch up with the others in the San Gabriel Basin in
assuming responsibility for its actions. Eleven potentially responsible
parties have voluntarily agreed to contribute over $200 million in
cleanup expenses. While this funding will cover a large portion of the
cleanup, Federal funds are necessary to ensure cooperation by the
potentially responsible parties and act as an immediate solution to an
ever growing problem.
Although there are still many hurdles to overcome in saving our water
supply, the time for Federal action is now. The primary responsible
parties in the San Gabriel Basin have demonstrated their commitment to
saving the region's groundwater with their checkbooks. They are doing
it with their checkbooks. It is time for the Federal Government to use
this broadly supported bill as an opportunity to do the same.
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Horn), a member of our
committee.
Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Shuster) for this. The gentleman from Pennsylvania chairs the most
bipartisan committee in this House and Members can tell how both sides,
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski),
and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) have come together and
moved this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, the legislation we consider today is absolutely
essential. H.R. 910, the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Initiative,
will help restore vital groundwater resources in California where up to
3 million have lost or are in danger of losing access to critical
groundwater reserves in our area. H.R. 910 is the key to fixing this
problem.
The bill is a product of local cooperation that should be also an
example to other areas of the country. Faced with a difficult and
expensive problem, the local stakeholders have come together to restore
and maintain groundwater for millions of people. H.R. 910 authorizes
the closure of a small but critical gap in funding needed to accomplish
this goal.
Here in Congress, this bill is also a product of cooperation as I
noted earlier. The gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the
distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules, has forged a
bipartisan coalition to support this bill. If a real cleanup is going
to occur in California or elsewhere, it requires the level of
cooperation demonstrated in H.R. 910.
Let us pass this model pilot program. If this program is successful,
many parts of our Nation will soon follow. Vote for H.R. 910.
Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Napolitano), a prime sponsor of the bill.
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I am so happy that I am hearing the
support, the bipartisan support for this measure, and I am also here to
join as an original cosponsor of this measure. I would like to also
thank my good friend and respected colleague the gentleman from
California (Mr. Dreier) for offering this legislation and helping it
move quickly through the House.
I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski) and others from
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for understanding
the importance of this particular area of contamination in California
that has affected a lot of us that live and work in those areas.
The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Initiative is of critical
importance to the people of my district. Those water aquifers, the
underground streams running through the San Gabriel Valley which supply
drinking water to 1.4 million people, have been known to be
contaminated with volatile organic compounds for over two decades.
I have been working on this issue and trying to bring it to some kind
of closure since I served on the local city council and managed to get
a water coalition and been following its nonprogress. Then in the past
3 years, perchlorate and other dangerous chemicals related to rocket
fuels have also been found in that water. The contamination is seeping
below the spreading grounds at Whittier Narrows and into my district.
Volatile organic compounds have seeped from the San Gabriel Basin into
the Central Basin and it comes down into my area, a large underground
water system that provides water for an additional 1.5 million people
in Montebello, Pico Rivera, Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, Long
Beach, and other communities.
H.R. 910, the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Initiative, provides
the way and the means by which Federal, State and local government
agencies and private business can collectively work towards a timely
cleanup of the important San Gabriel and Central water basins, and will
also serve as my colleagues have heard as an example of how aquifer
contaminants can be addressed and effectively implemented to clean up.
Since it was a Federal Government defense contract that led to the
introduction of the perchlorate and other rocket fuel related chemicals
into our groundwater, I believe that the Federal Government has its
share of responsibility and should take a role in helping clean up the
contaminated area that threatens our communities.
This legislation will help more than 3 million people in our county
that trust the water that flows from their tap.
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).
[[Page H1425]]
Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to work with
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) today.
I rise in support of H.R. 910, the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality
Initiative. I commend not only the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Boehlert) but also the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) for
bringing this legislation to the floor in such a quick and expedited
manner.
H.R. 910 is sponsored by my colleague the gentleman from California
(Mr. Dreier). I believe it provides a national model for protection of
our Nation's water supply from perchlorate. Perchlorate is an inorganic
chemical used to manufacture solid rocket fuel and other explosives. I
want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) for his
assistance in addressing this important conservation issue in a part of
my district which also impacts the entire Brazos River Corridor in
Central Texas by adding funding to the study of perchlorate
contamination originating from the former Naval Weapons Industrial
Reserve Plant in McGregor, Texas.
With this funding, the Brazos River Authority and the Corps of
Engineers will be able to carefully assess the extent of perchlorate
contamination in this very critical watershed. By doing so, they will
not only protect the drinking water of Central Texas but will also
protect the Brazos Basin from Waco to the Gulf of Mexico.
I am grateful to my colleagues in the Brazos Basin including the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority whip; the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Combest); the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry); and the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), all of whom have united in requesting
this provision. Texans are proud to join with our colleagues from not
only California but also other areas of the country in creating a
national model for addressing this threat of perchlorate.
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan).
Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, first I thank the distinguished chairman of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for yielding me this
time.
I rise today in strong support of H.R. 910, the San Gabriel Basin
Water Quality Initiative. In the Southern California area, like much of
the West, water is possibly the most precious commodity for local
cities. However, in parts of my district and in water tables throughout
the Los Angeles Basin, contamination as a result of industrial runoff
has become a serious threat to public safety.
In 1984, this water basin was designated a Superfund site. The
problem continues.
{time} 1445
Today, cleanup is vital, and it is imperative that government act at
all levels.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 910 is supported by a bipartisan coalition
interested in protecting the environmental resources in and around the
Los Angeles area. This legislation will establish the San Gabriel Basin
Restoration Fund that will be comprised of a unique partnership of
State, local and Federal funding sources.
Our measure will authorize $75 million over 5 years and set aside $25
million for research and development of treatment programs to ensure
that the mistakes of the past are not the mistakes of the future. This
bill will improve the quality of the environment in the San Gabriel
Basin region and will put the resources of the Federal Government
behind local environmental experts.
Even more significant is the opportunity to make the San Gabriel
Valley Water Quality Initiative a test case for similar programs around
the country. The Los Angeles area faces unique challenges, but by
uniting these officials, we are confident that these challenges can be
met and the environment protected. What is more, the San Gabriel Water
Quality Initiative can serve as a model for similar areas when they
confront cleanup of underground contamination.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished gentleman
from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the Committee on Rules,
for his incredible leadership on this bill and in bringing it before
the committee.
Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, this is a powerful piece of environmental
legislation, and I strongly urge its support.
Mr. Speaker, I commend our esteemed colleague from California,
Congressman David Dreier, for his leadership on this important
environmental legislation.
Ground water contamination was discovered in the San Gabriel Basin in
1979. EPA placed this area on the Superfund national priorities list in
1984. Although this basin provides drinking water to 1.4 million
people, EPA is only now getting around to addressing the contamination
at this site.
To make matters worse, in 1997, perchlorate was discovered in the
groundwater. Percholorate is a component of rocket fuel and is very
difficult to treat.
And just this past year, the local community received even more
devastating news: The contamination from the San Gabriel Basin has
spread into the Central Basin aquifer that provides drinking water for
half of Los Angeles County.
On a bipartisan basis, the representatives of the San Gabriel Valley
and the Central Basin, led by Representative Dreier, worked with the
local community to develop a solution to this problem. I commend their
efforts and congratulate them on this legislation.
I also would like to thank the committee's ranking Democratic member,
Congressman Jim Oberstar, as well as Subcommittee Chairman Boehlert and
Congressman Bob Borski for their help in moving this important
legislation forward.
Under the solution advanced by the local community and their
congressional delegation, the Army Corps of Engineers will help the
local community work with the State and the business community to build
water treatment projects that will stop the spread of contamination and
protect their water supplies.
These treatment plants will accelerate the cleanup of the San Gabriel
Basin in advance of EPA's cleanup schedule. This effort also should
reduce the overall cost of the cleanup because it is a lot cheaper to
keep groundwater from getting contaminated than it is to clean it up.
This assistance should lead to a true public-private partnership for
addressing an historic contamination problem of enormous magnitude.
As we looked at this matter, we also discovered that perchlorate
contamination is a national problem, particularly at facilities that
have manufactured or tested solid rocket fuels for the Department of
Defense or NASA.
To address this, H.R. 910 authorizes $25 million for research into
solutions to groundwater contamination caused by perchlorate.
Again, I congratulate the sponsor of this legislation and urge all
Members to support H.R. 910.
Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
910, the ``San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Initiative.'' The San
Gabriel Basin supplies drinking water for almost one and a half million
people in Southern California. It is a valuable natural asset whose
management is vital for all who depend on it.
H.R. 910 encourages the input of local industry and businesses,
community and environmental leaders and government officials from the
local, state and federal levels. Instead of costly litigation to punish
or shield from liability, H.R. 910 provides incentives for these groups
to participate in clean up and management efforts for ground water and
water sources affecting the San Gabriel Water Basin.
One of the greatest obstacles to ground water clean up is the
economic cost incurred by private industry and the controlling
government authorities. This bill addresses this problem by authorizing
funding for technology research that will allow for more cost-effective
clean up. Beyond this effort, it also provides for technology
development that will help maintain cleaner groundwater systems.
As our population continues to grow, it is important that we protect
our groundwater resources against pollution. H.R. 910 provides $25
million dollars in research funding to study ways to prevent future
groundwater contamination in areas, like the San Gabriel Basin, which
supply drinking water. Through this research private industry and
government agencies will have better resources to devise water
management plans for future development.
I believe that this bill provides us with a model for future clean up
efforts around the country. It maintains the groups already involved in
the clean up while empowering those who have vested interests in this
clean up effort. I would like to thank the Chairman of the Rules
Committee for his efforts in constructing this legislation, and urge
Members of this House to support H.R. 910.
Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion
[[Page H1426]]
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 910, 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.
____________________