[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY AREA WATER RECYCLING PROJECT

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                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 2005

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing legislation today that 
will authorize the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to continue to 
participate in the construction of the North San Diego County Area 
Water Recycling Project which also includes, as a new component, Phase 
II of the Olivenhain Water Treatment Plant. This project is very 
important in the overall water supply plan in my Congressional District 
and I am proud to offer this legislation that will assist in its 
further development.
  The North San Diego County Water Recycling Project is a regional 
cooperative effort by the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, the 
Leucadia County Water District, the City of Carlsbad and the Olivenhain 
Municipal Water District. When completed, the project will add up to 5 
billion gallons annually to the San Diego region's local water supply. 
With years of drought, exploding growth rates and California's reduced 
intake of Colorado River water, this recycled water has become vital to 
the region and it is extremely important that the project is completed 
to its full potential.
  In addition to the benefits to the San Diego County region, numerous 
federal objectives are advanced through the development of the North 
County Water Recycling Project. The project will directly reduce the 
surrounding region's demand for imported water from the environmentally 
sensitive California Bay/Delta and will help California live within its 
4.4 million acre-feet allocation of water from the Colorado River. The 
project will also reduce the amount of effluent discharged into coastal 
waters and advance D.S./Mexico border environmental initiatives.
  The legislation I offer today will increase the overall authorization 
ceiling for this project from $20 million to $35 million within the 
Bureau of Reclamation's Title XVI program. It is important to note that 
the majority of the funds necessary to construct this project are 
coming from local sources which represent a heavy financial burden on 
local agencies. Federal participation will help make this innovative 
water supply project a reality.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that this legislation be given prompt 
consideration.

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