[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 128 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9904-S9905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  By Mr. JEFFORDS:
  S. 3037. A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to 
improve protection of treatment works from terrorists and other harmful 
intentional acts, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Wastewater 
Treatment Works Security Safety Act. This legislation provides for the 
safety and security of our Nation's wastewater treatment works by 
providing needed funds to conduct vulnerability assessments and 
implement security improvements. In addition, this bill will ensure 
long-term safety and security by providing funds for researching 
innovative technologies and enhancing proven vulnerability assessment 
tools already in use.
  Since the terrible events of September 11, we have taken several 
comprehensive steps to protect our water supplies and infrastructure. 
Almost a year ago, I spoke on the many initiatives taking place in the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works and at the Environmental 
Protection Agency. I am pleased to say that we have made some progress.
  EPA worked with State and local governments to expeditiously provide 
guidance on the protection of drinking water facilities from terrorist 
attacks. Based on the recommendations of Presidential Decision 
Directive 63, issued by President Clinton in 1998, the Environmental 
Protection Agency and its industry partner, the Association of 
Metropolitan Water Agencies, established a communications system, a 
water infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center, designed 
to provide real-time threat assessment data to water utilities 
throughout the nation.
  Earlier this year, Senator Smith and I worked to include the 
authorization of $160 million for vulnerability assessments at drinking 
water facilities as part of the Bioterrorism bill. Despite our advocacy 
during the conference, we were unable to include a provision in that 
bill for wastewater facilities due to jurisdictional issues in the 
House.
  While these initial efforts are essential, our task is by no means 
finished. We cannot forget the vital importance of protecting our 
Nation's wastewater facilities. Everyday we take for granted the 
hundreds of thousands of miles of pipes buried under ground and the 
thousands of wastewater treatment works that keep our water clean and 
safe. But, like all our Nation's critical infrastructure, the 
disruption or destruction of these structures could have a devastating 
impact on public safety and health.
  The legislation I am introducing today will take us one step further 
by authorizing support of ongoing efforts to develop and implement 
vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans at wastewater 
facilities.
  Using existing tools such as the Sandi Laboratory's vulnerability 
assessment tool or the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage 
Association's Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool, treatment works will 
be able to securely identify critical areas of need. With the funds 
provided by this bill, EPA will also ensure that treatment

[[Page S9905]]

works remedy areas of concerns. Using the results of the vulnerability 
assessment, treatment works will develop or revise emergency response 
plans to minimize damage if an attack were to occur.
  This bill authorizes $185 million for fiscal years 2003 through 2007 
for grants to conduct the vulnerability assessments and implement basic 
security enhancements. The bill also recognizes the need to address 
immediate and urgent security needs with a special $20 million 
authorization over 2003 and 2004.
  In my home State of Vermont, we have only three towns of over 25,000 
people. The small water facilities serving these communities have been 
particularly challenged to meet today's new homeland security 
challenges. Many times, water managers operate the town's water 
facilities as a part-time job or even as a free service. We must ensure 
that they are afforded the same consideration under this act as the 
medium and large facilities. This bill authorizes $15 million for 
grants to help small communities conduct vulnerability assessments, 
develop emergency response plans, and address potential threats to the 
treatment works. It also instructs the Administrator of the EPA to 
provide guidance to these communities on how to effectively use these 
security tools.
  To ensure the continued development of wastewater security 
technologies, the Wastewater Treatment Works Security and Safety Act 
authorizes $15 million for research for 2003 and 2007. It also provides 
$500,000 to refine vulnerability self-assessment tools already in 
existence.
  I am proud to say that the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage 
Agencies has endorsed the Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act. AMSA 
represents our nation's wastewater treatment works serving large 
cities. They have been an invaluable partner in the drafting of this 
bill, and I thank them sincerely for their support. I ask unanimous 
consent that their letter of support be entered into the Record.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation and 
other efforts to enhance the security of our Nation's water 
infrastructure in the weeks, months, and years to come. We truly have 
something to protect--clean, safe, fresh water is worth our investment.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                       Association of Metropolitan


                                            Sewerage Agencies,

                                  Washington, DC, October 1, 2002.
     Hon. James Jeffords,
     Chairman, Environment and Public Works Committee, U.S. 
         Senate, Senate Hart Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Jeffords: The Association of Metropolitan 
     Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) thanks you for the timely 
     introduction of the Wastewater Treatment Works Security and 
     Safety Act. This legislation marks a critical step toward 
     ensuring the safe, uninterrupted operation of the nation's 
     vital wastewater infrastructure. AMSA will be working 
     throughout the closing days of the 107th Congress to secure 
     the passage of this important legislation.
       Of critical importance to AMSA member utilities is the $200 
     million this bill provides to assess vulnerabilities and 
     enhance security at the nation's more than 16,000 public 
     wastewater treatment works. AMSA also believes that the 
     bill's $2.5 million to develop and distribute vulnerability 
     assessment software upgrades will play a key role in ongoing 
     security improvements. AMSA, in coordination with EPA, has 
     developed a vulnerability self assessment tool 
     (VSATTM) for wastewater utilities in the wake of 
     the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. To this end, the 
     $2.5 million provides much-needed support to continue and 
     improve this important initiative.
       The Wastewater Treatment Works Security and Safety Act 
     comes at a pivotal juncture for communities struggling to 
     secure their critical wastewater infrastructure while 
     tackling shrinking municipal budgets. AMSA applauds your 
     commitment to addressing municipal security needs for making 
     your staff accessible throughout the drafting of this 
     important legislation. AMSA looks forward to working with 
     you, your staff and other members of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives to ensure the passage of this legislation 
     before Congress adjourns this year.
           Sincerely,
                                                         Ken Kirk,
                                               Executive Director.
                                 ______