[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2006

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 203, the 
National Heritage Areas Act. This bill contains a small package of 
resource conservation and management bills, including the Senate passed 
version of one of my bills--H.R. 18, the Southern California 
Groundwater Remediation Act.
  The Southern California Groundwater Remediation Act will fund $25 
million for the cleanup of a rocket fuel additive that has contaminated 
groundwater supplies in the Santa Ana watershed, namely, the Rialto-
Colton basin and the Chino basin.
  Cities in the Inland Empire of Southern California are closing their 
groundwater wells due to contamination from this fuel and explosive 
called perchlorate.
  This chemical is a volatile organic compound and has been found to be 
harmful to thyroid function.
  From most accounts, 90 percent of perchlorate in water comes from a 
federal source, primarily from former military sites and other 
Department of Defense installations.
  Three hundred nineteen groundwater wells are impacted in California 
alone--78 of them in my district.
  This bill includes a similar provision for contamination in 
Representative Pombo's region.
  Perchlorate doesn't just affect the drinking water supply, but our 
food supply as well. A 2003 study found perchlorate in lettuce grown in 
areas where the water supply is contaminated with perchlorate.
  And, perchlorate has even been found in milk.
  Hardworking families in my region, which has and has had large 
military and aerospace facilities, are not at fault and should not have 
to pay for a federally created problem.
  The communities I represent cannot afford costly toxic cleanup and 
the alternative is no better.
  Cities are being forced to raise water rates to outrageous levels, 
forgo dust control on highways to meet Clean Air Act requirements, and 
to truck in water from other regions.
  The region I represent in California is ground zero for this 
contamination and the Federal Government needs to step up and take 
responsibility.
  Including my bill as a provision to S. 203 will go a long way to 
protect children and elderly in California from dangerous health risks.
  The House of Representatives has already twice passed H.R. 18 and I 
am glad the Senate has moved forward in approving my legislative 
proposal.
  The communities in my district need this assistance, and I urge my 
colleagues to please support S. 203 and the many important provisions 
and bills included therein.

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