[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E614]]
                  COMMEMORATION OF THE 34TH EARTH DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, today the United States commemorates the 
34th Earth Day. In celebration of the Nation's commitment to a healthy 
environment, I urge my colleagues to devote sufficient resources and 
attention to providing safe and clean water for all Americans. The 
Congress must expand its efforts to provide communities with the 
resources and tools necessary to meet our enormous clean water 
challenges. I ask Members to join me in making an Earth Day commitment 
to support significant, long-term, sustainable funding for our Nation's 
water and wastewater infrastructure.
  This Nation has realized significant environmental improvements over 
the last three decades. Yet, the United States Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) reports that some 40 percent of our Nation's assessed 
lakes, rivers, streams, and estuaries are still too impaired for their 
designated uses such as fishing, swimming, or as a drinking water 
supply source. Discharges from aging and failing sewage systems, urban 
storm water and other sources continue to pose serious threats to our 
Nation's waters, endangering not only public health, but also the 
fishing and recreation industries.
  Population growth and development place additional stress on the 
Nation's water infrastructure and its ability to sustain hard-won water 
quality gains. EPA itself stated that without significant new 
investment in wastewater infrastructure, the gains of the past 30 years 
will be lost. Maintaining clean, safe water remains one of our greatest 
national and global challenges and responsibilities.
  EPA's Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis 
found that there is a gap in excess of $400 billion between current 
spending and projected needs for water and wastewater infrastructure 
over the next 20 years. It is critical that the Federal government do 
its part in partnership with state and local governments in order to 
avert the pending water infrastructure crisis. That is why the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure supports expanded 
funding for addressing water quality needs.
  Unfortunately, the current Administration seeks to reduce the Federal 
commitment to water and wastewater infrastructure. The President's 
budget for fiscal year 2005 cuts funding by $815 million, even as the 
need for funding increases. The cuts are indefensible, and imperil the 
Nation's ability to maintain water quality, let alone improve it.
  In celebration of this Earth Day, I encourage all Members of the 
House to support legislation aimed at investing in the improvement of 
water quality in our Nation's lakes, rivers, streams and estuaries.

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