[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S11216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 80--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS 
 REGARDING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENACTMENT OF THE FEDERAL WATER 
                         POLLUTION CONTROL ACT

  Mr. BOND (for himself, Mr. Graham, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Jeffords, and 
Mr. Crapo) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works:

                            S. Con. Res. 80

       Whereas clean water is a natural resource of tremendous 
     value and importance to the United States;
       Whereas there is resounding public support for protecting 
     and enhancing the quality of the rivers, streams, lakes, 
     wetland, and marine water of the United States;
       Whereas maintaining and improving water quality is 
     essential to protecting public health, fisheries, wildlife, 
     and watersheds, and to ensuring abundant opportunities for 
     public recreation and economic development;
       Whereas it is a national responsibility to provide clean 
     water for future generations;
       Whereas substantial progress has been made in protecting 
     and enhancing water quality since the date of enactment, in 
     1972, of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
     1251 et seq.) due to concerted efforts by Federal, State, and 
     local governments, the private sector, and the public;
       Whereas serious water pollution problems persist throughout 
     the United States and significant challenges lie ahead in the 
     effort to protect water resources from point sources and 
     nonpoint sources of pollution;
       Whereas further development and innovation of water 
     pollution control programs and advancement of water pollution 
     control research, technology, and education are necessary and 
     desirable; and
       Whereas October 2002 is the 30th anniversary of the 
     enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
     U.S.C. 1251 et seq.): Now, therefore be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That, as the United States marks the 30th 
     anniversary, in October 2002, of the enactment of the Federal 
     Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), 
     Congress encourages the people of the United States and all 
     levels of government to recognize and celebrate the 
     accomplishments of the United States under, and to recommit 
     to achieving the goals of, that Act.

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, it is a pleasure for me to submit a 
concurrent resolution with the House of Representatives to commemorate 
the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act next October 2002. 
Representative Sherry Boehlert is introducing the House version and 
joining me in the Senate are Senators Crapo, Graham, and Voinovich.
  Every time we look out onto a river, swim in a lake, or cast a line 
in search of a fish, we have the Clean Water Act to thank. Streams that 
were once devoid of fish and other aquatic life now support numerous 
and varied aquatic populations. Lakes that were once choked by 
pollution are now vastly improved. Wastewater discharges from municipal 
and industrial sources are being controlled.
  One of the first and most successful national environmental laws to 
be passed by the Federal Government, the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act, commonly known as the Clean Water Act, was enacted in 1972 
and set the goal of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, 
and biological integrity of the nation's waters. In the nearly three 
decades since its enactment, Clean Water Act programs have yielded 
measurable improvements in water quality.
  We have come a long way, yet much remains to be done to achieve the 
Acts' goals of ``fishable'' and ``swimmable'' waters. Nonpoint sources 
of pollution from urban, suburban and rural areas are remain a 
significant threat to the nation's water resources. Science has given 
us the ability to detect pollutants in ever decreasing amounts. 
Technological advances, while providing solutions to pollution 
problems, also pose new pollution concerns.
  Therefore, while commemorating a successful 30 years in clean water, 
we must also recommit ourselves to solving remaining clean water 
problems. The time until the 30th anniversary on October 18, 2002, will 
provide us a year to renew our commitment to clean our waters. As it 
did in 1992, America's Clean Water Foundation, ACWF, will coordinate 
the Year of Clean Water with activities: 1. highlighting the need to 
enhance collective appreciation for the importance of our water 
resources, 2. educating our nation's youth 3. building a better 
understanding of remaining challenges and solutions, and 4. rekindling 
the stewardship ethic begun in the 1970's.
  The Year of Clean Water activities, scheduled throughout 2002, will 
provide the opportunity for citizens and governments to come together 
in support of clean water and water resource protection programs. For 
example, program planning is under way for a World Watershed Summit, a 
Youth Watershed Summit, a National Stormwater Conference, a Legal and 
Economic Issues Forum, and a national water quality monitoring effort 
to gather water quality data from around the country. Please join me in 
support this legislation.

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