[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 45 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS--March 18, 2003

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 649. A bill to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
participate in projects within the San Diego Creek Watershed, 
California, and for other purposes, to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation to 
amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities 
Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to fund projects within 
the Irvine Basin.
  This bill will authorize up to $19 million in funds in order to cover 
up to 25 percent of the costs of constructing three water projects in 
Southern California. Water is an issue of paramount importance in 
California, and these projects provide innovative examples of ways that 
we can improve our water quality and increase our water supply.
  The first project, called the Natural Treatment System, will build a 
network of wetlands to filter surface water and urban runoff in the San 
Diego Creek Watershed and Upper Newport Bay. Based on the performance 
of a single constructed wetland in the area, we expect the Natural 
Treatment System to filter out 126,000 pounds of nitrogen and 21,000 
pounds of phosphorus from the watershed each year and reduce levels of 
harmful bacteria such as fecal coliform by as much as 26 percent.
  The second project, the Irvine Desalter, will clean brackish 
groundwater and provide drinking water for between 40,000 and 50,000 
people. By allowing the Irvine Basin to access another water source, 
the desalter will reduce our dependence on imported water and take 
considerable pressure off of our other water resources.
  The final project will construct a regional brine line to dispose of 
brine directly into the ocean. Like much of California, the Irvine 
Ranch Water District is a leader in water reclamation and recycling 
efforts. Buildup of too much salt in the system can hamper these 
reclamation efforts. The brine line will allow the District to continue 
its innovative efforts to ensure that water is used more than once 
while increasing use of brackish water resources.
  These projects shows us how California and the West can improve our 
water situation. Projects like these show us the way forward. I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.

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