[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CLEAN WATER ON EARTH DAY

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                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to recognize Earth 
Day and discuss the clean water challenges facing America. Over the 
last three decades our nation has made significant progress in 
addressing the pollution of lakes, streams, rivers and estuaries. 
However, these crucial gains in water quality are in jeopardy of being 
lost. The wastewater treatment facilities that have been the 
cornerstone of the Clean Water Act's success are now in need of 
critical upgrades and the resources for this environmental imperative 
are no where to be found.
  The Government Accounting Office, the Environmental Protection Agency 
and the Water Infrastructure Network have all found a wastewater 
infrastructure funding gap in excess of $500 billion, over the next 20 
years. These assessments come at a time when we continue to reduce the 
federal commitment to clean water infrastructure. The FY 2005 
Administration budget calls for less than $2 billion in federal 
investment for both wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. This 
declining investment in America's clean water comes at a time when we 
are providing nearly $4 billion to Iraq for water infrastructure.
  The time has come for our nation to rededicate itself to the 
importance of clean water and the infrastructure which makes it 
possible. It is time for Congress and the Administration to give 
serious consideration to making significant new investments in clean 
water infrastructure. We have dedicated funding sources to support our 
highway, aviation, and navigation infrastructure and it is now 
incumbent upon us to find similar funding support our nation's most 
critical infrastructure--water infrastructure.
  Mr. Speaker, I have introduced legislation to reauthorize the Clean 
Water State Revolving Fund in the last three Congresses that would 
increase the federal investment in clean water infrastructure ten-fold. 
This investment would help clean our environment and help our economy 
by producing thousands of new, good paying jobs. Unfortunately, this 
year's version of this important legislation is being held up over 
ideological issues that have nothing to do with cleaning up the 
environment or providing future Americans and our habitats with clean, 
safe water.
  I call on my colleagues this Earth Day to reflect on the importance 
of water in our daily lives and provide the infrastructure that makes 
clean water possible with funding that it requires.

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