[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     INLAND EMPIRE UTILITIES AGENCY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Inland Empire 
Regional Water Recycling Initiative. This bill seeks to authorize $30 
million total for the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) and the 
Cucamonga County Water District (CCWD), to assist in constructing two 
water recycling projects which will add 75,000 acre-feet of new water 
annually to the area's water supply.
  Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced a 
new initiative--Water 2025--Preventing Crisis and Conflict in the 
West--aimed at preventing chronic water supply problems in the Western 
United States resulting from drought, growth or other challenges. In 
addition to the federal strategy, California, more than a year ago, 
established a special Water Recycling Task Force, managed by the State 
Water Resources Control Board. The Task Force concluded that by the 
year 2030, California should develop 1.5 million acre feet of new 
recycled water.
  Water supply issues in California and other Western states are of 
paramount concern, especially in light of ongoing challenges with the 
Colorado River Quantification Settlement Agreement. In order to meet 
the water needs of the Inland Empire, and to help alleviate 
California's overdependence on the Colorado River, I see this 
legislation as a key federal-local partnership to bring a significant 
amount of new water supply to the region.
  The Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Initiative includes two 
projects, the first of which will be constructed by the IEUA and will 
produce 70,000 acre-feet of new water annually. This project is 
expected to be fully constructed and on-line by 2008. The second of 
these projects, to be constructed by the CCWD, will produce an 
additional 5,000 acre feet of new water annually. This project is 
expected to be fully constructed and on-line by 2010. Between these two 
projects, 75,000 acre feet of new water will be produced annually 
before the end of the decade.
  I am pleased that the Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Project 
has the support of all member agencies of IEUA, as well as the water 
agencies downstream in Orange County. It is also consistent with 
regional watershed plans, the California Department of Water Resources 
water recycling task force, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's 
comprehensive water study, and the Department of Interior's ``Water 
2025'' plan.
  I also want to recognize the hard work of IEUA and CCWD, which serve 
the Cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Montclair, Chino, Chino Hills, 
Ontario, and Fontana. Their dedication to providing the water needs of 
the region is commendable, and I urge my colleagues to support the 
Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Project.

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