[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      WATER SUPPLY, RELIABILITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 6, 2004

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2828, the 
Water Supply Reliability and Environmental Improvement Act, also known 
as CALFED.
  I am a proud co-sponsor of this legislation.
  After 10 years of hard work and endless negotiations, we present the 
final CALFED product to Congress.
  The California delegation has proven our commitment to the people of 
California that they are ensured a reliable water supply.
  I want to congratulate Senator Feinstein and Chairman Pombo for 
completing a top priority for California. Their hard work is much 
appreciated.
  I would also like to thank Chairman Ken Calvert and Ranking Member 
Grace Napolitano of the Water & Power Subcommittee for their hard work 
on CALFED as well.
  CALFED is the link needed to ensure the quantity and quality of water 
in California.
  And it is crucial to the future of my home state of California.
  Without out clean water, or enough water, there can be no development 
of jobs or housing.
  And without clean water, my children and grandchildren, or any child, 
cannot enjoy normal, healthy lives.
  I sincerely believe CALFED will become a blueprint for water plans in 
other areas of the country.
  CALFED increases the amount of water conservation, recycling and 
desalination projects. This will help ease the burden that perchlorate 
has placed on our water supplies.
  Perchlorate groundwater contamination, combined with drought or other 
conditions, highlights the need for these water conservation projects.
  The combination of perchlorate and drought caused my hometown, 
Rialto, California, to declare 2 water emergencies in one year.
  With 15 wells in 3 towns in my district being shut down because of 
perchlorate, serving clean water has become difficult.
  CALFED also provides the means to respond to rapid population growth.
  With a growing population, there is a growing need for more water 
delivery and storage.
  California has a population of 36 million, and expects to increase to 
50 million in the year 2020.
  We know we cannot rely solely only on the Colorado River anymore for 
water use--we have no choice.
  We know we cannot wait until California reaches a water crisis to 
pass CALFED legislation.
  H.R. 2828 is a must for California.
  I urge my colleagues to support CALFED and allow California the clean 
and reliable water sources it needs.

                          ____________________