[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 88 (Monday, July 10, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H4920-H4921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EASTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT RECYCLED WATER SYSTEM PRESSURIZATION
AND EXPANSION PROJECT
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 122) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater
Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to
participate in the Eastern Municipal Water District Recycled Water
System Pressurization and Expansion Project, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 122
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Eastern Municipal Water
District Recycled Water System Pressurization and Expansion
Project''.
SEC. 2. PROJECT AUTHORIZATION.
(a) In General.--The Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater
Study and Facilities Act (Public Law 102-575, title XVI; 43
U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended by adding after section 16__
the following:
``SEC. 16__. EASTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT RECYCLED WATER
SYSTEM PRESSURIZATION AND EXPANSION PROJECT,
CALIFORNIA.
``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with
the Eastern Municipal Water District, California, may
participate in the design, planning, and construction of
permanent facilities needed to establish operational pressure
zones that will be used to provide recycled water in the
district.
``(b) Cost Sharing.--The Federal share of the cost of the
project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25
percent of the total cost of the project.
``(c) Limitation.--Funds provided by the Secretary shall
not be used for operation or maintenance of the project
described in subsection (a).
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $12,000,000.
``(e) Sunset of Authority.--The authority of the Secretary
to carry out any provisions of this section shall terminate
10 years after the date of enactment of this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections in section 2
of Public Law 102-575 is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 16__ the following:
[[Page H4921]]
``Sec. 16__. Eastern Municipal Water District Recycled
Water System Pressurization and Expansion Project,
California.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Pallone) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 122, introduced by Congressman Darrell Issa,
authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in a water
recycling project with the Eastern Municipal Water District in Southern
California. The project will allow the district to be less reliant on
imported water.
As water demands grow and supply becomes more scarce in Southern
California, this bill will help drought-proof this arid region. The
infrastructure investment in this legislation will help the district as
its customers transition from agriculture to urban uses. I urge my
colleagues to support this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, we on this side of the aisle support
passage of H.R. 122. The majority has adequately explained this
legislation, and I would simply note that the pending measure would
enable the Eastern Municipal Water District to make improvements to its
reclaimed water distribution system in Riverside County, California.
The Eastern Municipal Water District is the fifth largest water
district in the State of California. This agency has been a leader in
building water recycling projects, and this legislation is worthy of
our support.
Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill
H.R. 122.
I would like to thank Chairman Richard Pombo and Subcommittee
Chairman George Radanovich and their staff for all their hard work in
moving this bill to the floor.
My bill simply authorizes a Recycled Water System Pressurization and
Expansion Project, which will create a pressurized distribution system
to deliver water from Eastern Municipal Water District's reclamation
plants to area residents. When fully implemented it will provide
greater local protection from drought and reduce the district's need to
import water.
The area that the EMWD provides water for is one of the fastest
growing in the country. Riverside County is facing constantly
increasing pressure to find new sustainable ways to meet the areas
water supply needs and to accommodate future growth. It is critical
that Congress supports projects like this that will lead to an
increased use of reclaimed water, especially in areas such as Southern
California where the threat of shortages and drought are almost always
present.
I appreciate the Resources Committee support for this bill, and urge
my colleagues to support H.R. 122.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 122, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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