[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 152 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H10360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MUSKINGUM WATERSHED

  (Mr. REGULA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an issue of great 
importance to me and my constituents. In particular, I speak of a 
provision in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 
2006 regarding the Muskingum Watershed in Ohio.
  The Muskingum Watershed encompasses 18 counties in Ohio and includes 
all of the area which drains into the Muskingum River and its 
tributaries where it joins with the Ohio River. Below the watershed 
lies an aquifer of great importance to the constituents of my district 
and those of surrounding areas.
  The threat that landfills pose to the aquifer and the watershed are 
too great to ignore. Remember, we are fortunate in the United States to 
be well-endowed with water, and we are indebted to our forebearers for 
creating the infrastructure to deliver potable water to our 
communities, farmers and industries.
  As a representative, it is my responsibility to respond to the 
concerns of my constituents to protect and preserve the integrity of 
their water supply. During my time as chairman of the Interior 
Appropriations Subcommittee, I have dealt with many issues relating to 
clean water and its significance. I have seen how a lack of planning, 
oversight and development has harmed the Everglades, and now we are 
tasked with spending millions of taxpayer dollars to reverse the 
problem.
  Additionally, per my request, the United States Geological Survey 
published a report in 2003 titled ``Plan for National Assessment of 
Water Availability and Use.'' The report highlights the availability of 
water in the U.S. and how this availability relates to need, source and 
geographic location.
  I would like to cite a statement made in a report by the Council of 
State Governments that sums up the need to protect our water: ``Water, 
which used to be considered a ubiquitous resource, is now scarce in 
some parts of the country and not just in the West as one might assume. 
The water wars have spread to the Midwest, East and South as well.'' I 
find this statement quite telling and see it as a wake up call to all 
those who take water for granted. Much has changed over the years; 
cities have grown, irrigation technology has advanced and ground water 
has become a much larger fraction of the nation's water supply. All 
these factors contribute to the need to protect the Muskingum watershed 
and the aquifer below it.
  Having heard from many constituents concerning the potential dangers 
posed by the stress of additional landfills in the Muskingum Watershed, 
I have made this provision one of my top priorities in Congress. I feel 
that the criteria set forth by the provision are fair, 
nondiscriminatory and of utmost importance in preserving the aquifer 
for generations to come.

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