[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2001

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, last week, joined by Representative Brian 
Baird and six other colleagues, I introduced H.R. 3178, the Water 
Infrastructure Security and Research Development Act. Senators Jeffords 
and Smith, the chairman and ranking minority member of the Senate 
Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the companion 
measure, S. 1593.
  This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is a direct response to the 
physical and cyber threats facing our drinking water and wastewater 
treatment systems. H.R. 3178 authorizes and coordinates Environmental 
Protection Agency assistance ($12 million a year for 5 years) to public 
and private nonprofit entities to research and develop technologies and 
related processes to increase protection of America's water resources. 
Research projects will include improved vulnerability assessments, 
methods for real-time detection and monitoring of chemical, biological, 
and radiological contaminants, cyber security measures, and information 
sharing and analysis. The bill will also have multiple benefits outside 
of the terrorism context as water managers and public officials gain 
more tools to detect, monitor, and respond to contamination and other 
problems confronting infrastructure.
  Water is the lifeblood of a community. Water lines form the lifelines 
for citizens and their families and for local, regional, and national 
economies. Terrorist attacks, whether physical or cyber, are a clear 
and present danger. We can mitigate that danger with a coordinated 
program of research and development. Science, technology, and 
appropriate dissemination of information are keys to building, 
maintaining, and operating secure and sustainable water systems.
  I urge my colleagues to join the growing list of cosponsors and 
supporters of H.R. 3178. I also want to thank water management 
professionals, such as the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies 
and the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies, and engineering 
and scientific research organizations, such as the American Society of 
Civil Engineers, for their help on the bill. I look forward to working 
with all of my colleagues, both on and off of Capitol Hill, as the 
legislation advances.

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