[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E16-E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SAN GABRIEL BASIN RESTORATION FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 4, 2007

  Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
will continue to provide safe drinking water to Southern California. In 
2000, Congress created the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund after the 
discovery of perchlorate and other harmful contaminants in the basin's 
groundwater. The fund initially authorized $85 million in federal 
funding to assist the state and local government agencies as well as 
the private companies found responsible for the contamination to 
effectively implement a comprehensive clean up plan that would protect 
the safety of our region's drinking water supply. After evaluation, it 
is evident that an increase in this authorization is necessary. 
Therefore, I am introducing legislation to amend the original 
authorization by increasing the total amount by $50 million.
  The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (WQA) has done a 
tremendous job in administering the clean up program. In 1999, the WQA 
projected the cost of cleaning up the San Gabriel Basin at a total of 
$320 million based on the level of contamination of the five original 
Operable Units of Baldwin Park, El

[[Page E17]]

Monte, South El Monte, Whittier Narrows and Puente Valley. Since the 
San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund was authorized by Congress in 2000, 
dramatically increased contamination levels have been identified in the 
South El Monte and Puente Valley Operable Units. This discovery has 
significantly increased both the capitol and operation and maintenance 
costs of the projects. With the cost of inflation, increased energy 
costs and the higher contamination levels found, the total cost is now 
estimated at $1 billion. Significantly, the WQA has a number of 
treatment plants that are already operating at full capacity with more 
coming on line in the near future.
  The San Gabriel Groundwater Basin covers more than 160 square miles 
in Los Angeles County and is the primary source of drinking water for 
over 1.2 million people. Furthermore, natural groundwater flows from 
the San Gabriel Basin are allowing the contamination to spread into the 
Central Groundwater Basin, a vast 277 square-mile underground aquifer 
that provides drinking water to over half of Los Angeles County.

  In working with the WQA and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation over the 
past decade on this regional solution, there is no doubt that this 
increase is warranted and will be utilized in the most effective way to 
continue to provide safe drinking water.
  I look forward to working closely with the House Resources Committee, 
and with the new Water and Power Subcommittee Chairwoman Grace 
Napolitano, who is a cosponsor of this bill and has been a champion of 
regional water solutions. I am also pleased to have the support of my 
colleagues Adam Schiff, Hilda Solis and Gary Miller, who are cosponsors 
of this legislation.

                          ____________________