[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H12121-H12125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WATER COMMISSION ACT OF 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 135) to establish the ``Twenty-First Century Water 
Commission'' to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive 
water strategy to address future water needs, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 135

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Twenty-First Century Water 
     Commission Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) the Nation's water resources will be under increasing 
     stress and pressure in the coming decades;
       (2) a thorough assessment of technological and economic 
     advances that can be employed to increase water supplies or 
     otherwise meet water needs in every region of the country is 
     important and long overdue; and
       (3) a comprehensive strategy to increase water availability 
     and ensure safe, adequate, reliable, and sustainable water 
     supplies is vital to the economic and environmental future of 
     the Nation.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

       There is established a commission to be known as the 
     ``Twenty-First Century Water Commission'' (in this Act 
     referred to as the ``Commission'').

     SEC. 4. DUTIES.

       The duties of the Commission shall be to--
       (1) use existing water assessments and conduct such 
     additional assessments as may be necessary to project future 
     water supply and demand;
       (2) study current water management programs of Federal, 
     Interstate, State, and local agencies, and private sector 
     entities directed at increasing water supplies and improving 
     the availability, reliability, and quality of freshwater 
     resources; and
       (3) consult with representatives of such agencies and 
     entities to develop recommendations consistent with laws, 
     treaties, decrees, and interstate compacts for a 
     comprehensive water strategy which--
       (A) respects the primary role of States in adjudicating, 
     administering, and regulating water rights and water uses;
       (B) identifies incentives intended to ensure an adequate 
     and dependable supply of water to meet the needs of the 
     United States for the next 50 years;
       (C) suggests strategies that avoid increased mandates on 
     State and local governments;
       (D) eliminates duplication and conflict among Federal 
     governmental programs;
       (E) considers all available technologies and other methods 
     to optimize water supply reliability, availability, and 
     quality, while safeguarding the environment;
       (F) recommends means of capturing excess water and flood 
     water for conservation and use in the event of a drought;
       (G) suggests financing options for comprehensive water 
     management projects and for appropriate public works 
     projects;
       (H) suggests strategies to conserve existing water 
     supplies, including recommendations for repairing aging 
     infrastructure; and

[[Page H12122]]

       (I) includes other objectives related to the effective 
     management of the water supply to ensure reliability, 
     availability, and quality, which the Commission shall 
     consider appropriate.

     SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.

       (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be 
     composed of 9 members who shall be appointed not later than 
     90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Member shall 
     be appointed as follows:
       (1) 5 members appointed by the President;
       (2) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, in consultation with the Minority Leader of 
     the House of Representatives; and
       (3) 2 members appointed by the Majority Leader of the 
     Senate, in consultation with the Minority Leader of the 
     Senate.
       (b) Qualifications.--Members shall be appointed to the 
     Commission from among individuals who--
       (1) are of recognized standing and distinction in water 
     policy issues; and
       (2) while serving on the Commission, do not hold any other 
     position as an officer or employee of the United States, 
     except as a retired officer or retired civilian employee of 
     the United States.
       (c) Other Considerations.--In appointing members of the 
     Commission, every effort shall be made to ensure that the 
     members represent a broad cross section of regional and 
     geographical perspectives in the United States.
       (d) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall 
     be designated by the President.
       (e) Terms.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed 
     not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act and shall serve for the life of the Commission.
       (f) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall not 
     affect its operation, and shall be filled in the same manner 
     as the original appointment provided under subsection (a).
       (g) Compensation and Travel Expenses.--Members of the 
     Commission shall serve without compensation, except members 
     shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under 
     subchapter I of chapter 57, United States Code.

     SEC. 6. MEETINGS AND QUORUM.

       (a) Meetings.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting 
     not later than 60 days after the date on which all members 
     have been appointed under section 5, and shall hold 
     additional meetings at the call of the Chairperson or a 
     majority of its members.
       (b) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
     shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

     SEC. 7. DIRECTOR AND STAFF.

       A Director shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House 
     of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Senate, in 
     consultation with the Minority Leader and chairmen of the 
     Resources and Transportation and Infrustructure Committees of 
     the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader and 
     chairmen of the Energy and Natural Resources and Environment 
     and Public Works Committees of the Senate. The Director and 
     any staff reporting to the Director shall be paid a rate of 
     pay not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay for GS-15 of 
     the General Schedule.

     SEC. 8. POWERS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSION.

       (a) Hearings.--The Commission shall hold no fewer than 10 
     hearings during the life of the Commission. Hearings may be 
     held in conjunction with meetings of the Commission. The 
     Commission may take such testimony and receive such evidence 
     as the Commission considers appropriate to carry out this 
     Act. At least 1 hearing shall be held in Washington, D.C., 
     for the purpose of taking testimony of representatives of 
     Federal agencies, national organizations, and Members of 
     Congress. Other hearings shall be scheduled in distinct 
     geographical regions of the United States and should seek to 
     ensure testimony from individuals with a diversity of 
     experiences, including those who work on water issues at all 
     levels of government and in the private sector.
       (b) Information and Support From Federal Agencies.--Upon 
     request of the Commission, any Federal agency shall--
       (1) provide to the Commission, within 30 days of its 
     request, such information as the Commission considers 
     necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act; and
       (2) detail to temporary duty with the Commission on a 
     reimbursable basis such personnel as the Commission considers 
     necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, in 
     accordance with section 5(b)(5), Appendix, title 5, United 
     States Code.

     SEC. 9. REPORTS.

       (a) Interim Reports.--Not later than 6 months after the 
     date of the first meeting of the Commission, and every 6 
     months thereafter, the Commission shall transmit an interim 
     report containing a detailed summary of its progress, 
     including meetings and hearings conducted in the interim 
     period, to--
       (1) the President;
       (2) the Committee on Resources and the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (3) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the 
     Committee on the Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
       (b) Final Report.--As soon as practicable, but not later 
     than 3 years after the date of the first meeting of the 
     Commission, the Commission shall transmit a final report 
     containing a detailed statement of the findings and 
     conclusions of the Commission, and recommendations for 
     legislation and other policies to implement such findings and 
     conclusions, to--
       (1) the President;
       (2) the Committee on Resources and the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (3) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the 
     Committee on the Environment and Public Works of the Senate.

     SEC. 10. TERMINATION.

        The Commission shall terminate not later than 30 days 
     after the date on which the Commission transmits a final 
     report under section 7(b).

     SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

        There are authorized to be appropriated $9,000,000 to 
     carry out this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Calvert) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands 
(Mrs. Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).


                             General Leave

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 135, introduced by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), and 
cosponsored by a wide range of Members from both parties, creates a 
national commission to develop increased water supplies. The gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Linder) and his colleagues have properly recognized 
that drought is a national problem, not just a Western issue.
  This bill creates a process while adhering to States' rights to 
address this problem. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1100

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 135. This 
legislation would establish the 21st Century Water Policy Commission to 
study Federal, State, local, and private water management programs in 
an effort to develop recommendations for a comprehensive national water 
strategy.
  Mr. Speaker, the objectives of H.R. 135 are worthwhile, and I 
appreciate the cooperation we have received from the sponsor of this 
bill. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Costello) and ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control said 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) and ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to 
control that time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to commend my colleague, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), and I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 135, the 21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
Linder).
  Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 135, the 21st Century Water 
Commission Act of 2003. H.R. 135 is designed to bring together our 
Nation's premier water experts to recommend strategies for meeting our 
water challenges in the next century.
  I would like to first thank the gentleman from California (Chairman 
Calvert) and his staff and the gentleman from Tennessee (Chairman 
Duncan) and his staff for being so helpful in

[[Page H12123]]

bringing this bill to the floor and having hearings.
  Ensuring fresh water for U.S. citizens will be a critical challenge 
facing the United States as we enter the 21st Century. Water related 
issues have been of interest to me for many years. In fact, I wrote an 
article in 1978 that predicted that one of the 12 major challenges for 
our country in the next century would be providing enough fresh water 
for our booming population.
  Since that time, about 25 years ago, America still does not have an 
integrated or comprehensive water policy, even with hundreds of 
thousands of Federal, State, local and private sector employees working 
to solve water problems. If we wait another 10 or 20 years to get 
serious about meeting our demand for clean water, it will be too late.
  According to the October 27, 2003, edition of U.S. News and World 
Report, ``Our population has more than doubled since World War II, and 
at this rate, we could be on our way to 1 billion people living in the 
United States by the end of this century.'' The population growth will 
clearly put a strain on our already-burdened water supply.
  As my colleagues are aware, many States across the Nation are 
currently facing a water crisis. Once thought to be a problem only in 
the arid West, severe droughts last summer caused water shortages up 
and down the east coast. States once accustomed to an unlimited access 
to water realized that they are not immune to the problems which the 
West has experienced for decades.
  In addition, numerous news articles over the past few years have 
increased our attention to other water problems that we currently face. 
To name just a few, aquifers are being challenged by salt water 
intrusion, rivers and wells are drying up all over the country, crops 
are being threatened, and our aging water pipes leak billions of 
gallons of fresh water in our cities all over the country. For example, 
New York City loses 36 million gallons per day and Philadelphia loses 
85 million per day just through leaks in infrastructure.
  Let me be clear about one thing: my bill does not give the Federal 
Government more direct authority or control over water. This commission 
is designed to make recommendations about how we can coordinate water 
management efforts on all levels, so that localities, States, and the 
Federal Government can work together.
  Some highlights of the bill are as follows:
  The commission will look for ways to ensure fresh water for citizens 
for the next 50 years.
  The commission will be composed of nine members, appointed by the 
President and key leaders in the House and Senate.
  The commission will look for ways to eliminate duplication and 
conflict among Federal Government agencies.
  The commission will consider all available technologies and other 
methods to optimize water supply reliability.
  The commission will hold hearings in distinct geographical regions of 
the United States and in Washington, D.C., to seek a diversity of 
views, comments, and input.
  Not later than 6 months after the date of the first meeting of the 
commission, and every 6 months thereafter, the commission will transmit 
a report to the Congress. A final report will be due within 3 years of 
the commission's inception.
  In John Steinbeck's novel, ``East of Eden,'' the narrator observes, 
``It never failed that during the dry years that people forgot about 
the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the 
dry years. It was always that way.''
  The United States cannot afford to reevaluate its water policies 
every time a crisis hits. Now is the time to get ahead of this issue, 
and I believe the 21st Century Water Commission can serve as the 
channel for doing so.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. COSTELLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks, and include extraneous material.)
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 135, the 
21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003. This bill is a step towards 
addressing the availability of clean and safe water resources to meet 
the Nation's needs.
  Madam Speaker, clean, safe and available sources of water are 
essential to the physical and economic well-being of this country. 
Commercial fishing, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, and 
recreation and tourism are just a few of the economic sectors that rely 
on clean water to operate and ensure productivity. Every day, the U.S. 
economy relies on the availability of clean water to grow, process, or 
deliver products and services.
  However, at the same time, there is an emerging concern about the 
availability of adequate safe supplies of water to meet the growing 
list of often competing needs.
  Throughout the first three-quarters of the 20th century, demand for 
water in the United States dramatically increased.
  However, this Nation made progress in reducing the overall 
consumption of water resources in the past 20 years. Water withdrawals 
in the United States are now 10 percent below their peak. In addition, 
industrial water use dropped nearly 40 percent from its height as 
industrial water-use efficiency improved and as the mix of U.S. 
industries changed. At the same time, industrial productivity continues 
to rise, demonstrating that improvements in water-use efficiency are 
possible without negatively impacting economic growth.
  In the past few years, considerable media attention has focused on 
the availability of adequate water supplies to meet current and future 
demands. In the last 2 years, regions of the country that have not 
traditionally experienced water resource concerns, including the 
Midwest and the Northeast, often found themselves with a greater demand 
for water resources than were available--and were forced, in some 
communities to ration water use.
  While this debate has long existed in the more arid regions of the 
West, these experiences in the eastern half of the country have served 
as a wake-up call to the fact that water supply problems can occur in 
almost every region of the country. The question is now being asked, 
``What can be done to ensure adequate water to meet current and future 
needs?''
  This legislation would create a Federal commission of experts on 
water policy to study this issue, and to recommend strategies and 
changes to current law that may be necessary to ensure the availability 
of adequate water resources for future generations.
  Madam Speaker, it is important for this Nation to have a dialogue on 
what can be done to ensure that sufficient water resources are 
available to meet current and future needs. I do have some concerns 
with this legislation, and with the broader topic of planning for water 
resource needs. We need to fully discuss what the Federal role in water 
resource planning should be, and how Federal financial resources are to 
be expended to address this growing concern.
  In addition, I believe that the scope of any national water resource 
planning study must include all affected parties, and must look to both 
structural and non-structural approaches to reduce consumption and 
ensure adequate, safe, and reliable sources of water for generations to 
come.
  If this Congress truly wants to enter the debate on a national water 
resource policy, we must make sure that the record is complete, and 
that all alternatives are examined to determine the appropriate means 
to resolve this important question.
  I hope that we can continue to work together on this legislation as 
it continues through the legislative process.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).
  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  Madam Speaker, this legislation deals with an issue which I have 
considered a priority for some time, our water resources and the 
ability of the Federal Government to provide our communities with 
effective solutions to their problems.
  Our economy depends on our Nation's water resources. In fact, the 
United States economy base has grown both geographically and 
economically through its efficient and effective water system. We must 
realize that water is a precious resource, and we take steps to ensure 
its proper use.
  This legislation establishes a 21st Century Water Commission to study 
and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy to 
address future waters needs. This commission would assess our current 
and future water supply needs and consider

[[Page H12124]]

all available technologies for increasing water supply efficiently 
while safeguarding the environment. Additionally, this commission will 
suggest financing options and strategies to preserve existing water 
supplies.
  Most importantly, the commission will pursue strategies that avoid 
increasing mandates on State and local governments. We understand that 
unfunded mandates take away from local decisionmaking. When the first 
withdrawal from a municipality's finances must go for an unfunded 
mandate, that community then has less discretion in paying for vital 
services and programs expected by its citizens. It is critical to the 
health of our local communities not to burden them with these types of 
mandates.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Chairman Duncan) 
and the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello), and 
the entire Committee on Resources for all their hard work.
  I support H.R. 135 wholeheartedly and ask that my colleagues do the 
same.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I have the privilege of chairing the Subcommittee on 
Water Resources and Environment. We held a hearing on this legislation, 
and the then chairman, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and I and 
the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), and 
the ranking member of my subcommittee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Costello), all approved bringing this legislation to the floor at this 
time.
  As I said a few moments ago, I rise in strong support of H.R. 135, 
the 21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003. I want to commend the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) for his foresight and his hard work 
in bringing this legislation to this point.
  A couple of years ago, the New York Times had a series of articles in 
which they called water the oil of the 21st century. There is probably 
nothing that people take more for granted than a clean, safe, adequate 
water supply.
  This bill begins the hard work of tackling one of the most important 
and difficult environmental and economic issues facing our Nation, and 
that is ensuring that we have an adequate water supply. We need water 
for our homes, farms, and factories. Water also supports navigation, 
generates power, and sustains our environment. Communities cannot grow 
or even exist without adequate water.
  As we enter the 21st century, demands for water are growing and are 
outstripping supplies in many areas, both in the West and the East, 
leading to disputes over water supply and allocation. In response, many 
municipalities, businesses and land developers are trying to secure 
more water rights so they will have adequate water supplies now and in 
the future.
  Last year's drought in the East made it clear that while water may be 
abundant in many areas, it is not limitless, and even our Nation's most 
water-rich regions can run dry. Even though the East has been wet this 
year, much of the West remains very, very dry. Policymakers no longer 
can ignore this issue. We need to start planning for the future.
  H.R. 135, the 21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003, will help 
start that planning process by looking at our Nation's available water 
supply and the projected demand for water and making recommendations on 
how to meet that demand.
  Because of the importance of water to our Nation's economy and well-
being, I held a series of hearings this past spring on water scarcity 
problems, ways businesses and communities are responding, and how H.R. 
135 can help States and communities address their water problems. The 
witnesses strongly supported greater planning for future water needs, 
involving all levels of government, and supported H.R. 135 as a means 
to help start that process.
  H.R. 135 respects the primary role that States play in addressing 
water supply issues, but the Federal Government can provide expertise 
and technical assistance. Numerous parties strongly support this 
legislation, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Urban Water 
Council, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Water 
Resources Association, the National Association of Homebuilders, the 
Association of California Water Agencies, and many others.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this very important bill and 
once again commend our colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
Linder), for leading this effort.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, once again I want to commend the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Linder) for his leadership on this bill. As the chairman 
of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, I have witnessed firsthand 
throughout this country water problems that tend to grow, not shrink, 
as our country faces the problem of less water and water quality issues 
throughout our country.
  Vision is an important thing that we do around here that sometimes we 
forget. The gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) certainly is showing 
vision to make sure that we have adequate water in the future.
  The 21st Century Water Commission, I refer to it as the Linder Water 
Commission, will recommend a strategy that recognizes and respects the 
primary role of States and water rights laws while eliminating 
duplication and conflict among governmental agencies. This is an 
incredibly important strategy. We need dependable water supplies that 
are safe and secure for our future generations.
  Again, I commend the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) for his 
leadership.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I support this legislation strongly. I commend our 
colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), who came before our 
committee for a hearing, and to urge the adoption of this legislation.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 135, a 
bill to establish a commission to examine the issue of clean, safe, and 
reliable water supplies for this generation and for generations to 
come.
  Madam Speaker, water may well be the most precious resource the earth 
provides to humankind. The existence of water set the stage for the 
evolution of life and is an essential ingredient of all life today.
  Recognizing the importance of this vital resource, the United Nations 
designated 2003 as the ``International Year of Freshwater.'' Throughout 
the year, the United Nations has been conducting a series of 
international meetings to raise awareness on the importance of 
available sources of clean and safe fresh water. According to the U.N., 
throughout the world roughly one person in six lives without regular 
access to safe drinking water, and over twice that number--or 2.4 
billion--lack access to adequate sanitation. In addition, water-related 
diseases kill a child every eight seconds.
  In the United States, we have avoided many of these concerns through 
careful planning and decades of investment in our water infrastructure. 
Nationally, a combination of Federal, State, and local funds have built 
16,024 wastewater treatment facilities that provide service to 190 
million people, or 73 percent of the total population.
  In addition, 268 million people in the United States--or 92 percent 
of the total population--are currently served by public drinking water 
systems, which provide a safe and reliable source of drinking water for 
much of the Nation.
  As I noted earlier, clean, safe, and reliable sources of water are 
critical to this Nation's health and livelihood. However, in the past 
few decades, a series of natural and potentially human induced events 
have demonstrated that our Nation remains vulnerable to shortages of 
water.
  In my own State, shortages of snowfall and rain of over the past few 
years have had an adverse impact on local water supplies, agriculture, 
and recreation and tourism, and have resulted in a lowering of water 
levels in Great Lakes to historic levels. One thing that is certain is 
that no area of this country is immune to the threat of diminished 
water supplies, and we must be vigilant to prepare for such 
occurrences.
  This bill is a part of the debate on the very important issue of 
water resource planning in this country. The gentleman from Georgia, 
Mr. Linder, has taken an important step in encouraging this debate, 
calling for the creation of a Federal commission to examine issues 
related to national water resource planning, and to report its findings 
on potential ways to insure against large-scale water shortages in the 
future.

[[Page H12125]]

  While I believe that the legislation introduced by our colleague is a 
good starting point, we must be sure to fully examine all of the 
relevant issues for ensuring adequate supplies of clean and safe water 
to meet current and future needs.
  For example, water resource planning should work toward increasing 
the efficiency of water consumption as well as increasing the supply of 
water. Simply increasing the supply of water can be a more costly 
approach to meeting future water needs, and in any case, merely 
postpones any potential water resource crisis.
  In addition, it is important to remember that issues of water supply 
are closely related to water quality. Contaminated sources of 
freshwater serve little use to this Nation's health or livelihood, and 
merely increase the overall cost of providing safe a reliable water 
resources to the population. In addition, human activities, whether 
through the pollution of waterbodies from point or non-point sources, 
the elimination of natural filtration abilities of wetlands, or through 
the destruction and elimination of aquifer recharge points, can have a 
significant impact on available supplies of usable water.
  We cannot base our future water resource planning needs on the 
possibility of continually finding ``new'' sources of freshwater while, 
at the same time, continuing to destroy or contaminate existing 
sources. Such a practice is unsustainable and unconscionable.
  I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
135, the Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act.
  One thing I've learned since being elected twenty-five years ago, is 
that Congress can't pass a bill and make it rain.
  This morning I look at the United States Drought Monitor again and I 
was reminded of a disturbing trend that several states have experienced 
for many years. Twenty-five states are suffering from drought 
conditions, and with no definite starting or ending point, droughts are 
extremely hard to predict.
  But, as a cotton farmer from West Texas, I am always optimistic that 
the rains will come eventually. In the meantime, we cannot afford to 
leave a single stone unturned in our efforts to ensure that our 
citizens have a safe and adequate water supply.
  Will my district be able to meet our water needs fifty years from 
Now? We aren't able to answer that question today, and we sure can't 
wait until that time is upon us to find out.
  This is why I joined my colleagues in co-sponsoring the 21st Century 
Water Policy Commission Act. This legislation does what so many 
communities in my West Texas district are already trying to do. It 
establishes commission to consider all aspects of water management, 
water supply and demand, and it recommends comprehensive policy for 
meeting our nation's water needs in the 21st Century. For these 
reasons, I'm glad to support H.R. 135.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 135, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________