[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 74 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4508-H4509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY RECYCLED WATER ENHANCEMENT ACT
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 1140) to authorize the Secretary, in cooperation with
the City of San Juan Capistrano, California, to participate in the
design, planning, and construction of an advanced water treatment plant
facility and recycled water system, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1140
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``South Orange County Recycled
Water Enhancement Act''.
SEC. 2. PROJECT AUTHORIZATIONS.
(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 at the end the
following:
``SEC. 16XX. SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO RECYCLED WATER SYSTEM.
``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with
the City of San Juan Capistrano, California, is authorized to
participate in the design, planning, and construction of an
advanced water treatment plant facility and recycled water
system.
``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of the
project authorized by this section shall not exceed 25
percent of the total cost of the project.
``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds
for the operation and maintenance of the project authorized
by this section.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $18,500,000.
[[Page H4509]]
``(e) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.
``SEC. 163X. SAN CLEMENTE RECLAIMED WATER PROJECT.
``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with
the City of San Clemente, California, is authorized to
participate in the design, planning, and construction of a
project to expand reclaimed water distribution, storage and
treatment facilities.
``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of the
project authorized by this section shall not exceed 25
percent of the total cost of the project.
``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds
for the operation and maintenance of the project authorized
by this section.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000
``(e) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--The table of sections in
section 2 of Public Law 102-575 is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 163X the following:
``Sec. 163X. San Juan Capistrano Recycled Water System.
``Sec. 163X. San Clemente Reclaimed Water Project.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Napolitano) and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr.
Lamborn) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 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
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of H.R. 1140, as introduced by my colleague
and former chair of the subcommittee, Mr. Ken Calvert, is to authorize
the Secretary to participate in the design, planning and construction
of an advanced water treatment facility and recycled water system.
The continuing drought and the decrease in snow pack have led to a
reduction in water supplies in many parts of the West. Water recycling
projects can help communities protect against the adverse consequences
of drought.
H.R. 1140 will authorize limited Federal financial assistance for two
separate water recycling projects in Southern California. One,
beautiful San Juan Capistrano, and the other in great San Clemente.
Recycled water can satisfy many water demands, and the enactment of
this bill will continue our efforts to encourage the administration to
include recycling as an effective water management strategy. I note it
was left out of Water 2025, and I want to be sure that we continue to
push forward for that which is very, very helpful to many communities.
I do urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 1140.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This legislation, H.R. 1140, introduced by the distinguished former
chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee, Ken Calvert of
California, authorizes limited Federal assistance for two water
recycling projects in southern Orange County. This bill helps the
cities of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente meet their water supply
needs, and reduces their dependence on imported water.
I commend Representative Calvert for his longstanding leadership in
helping all of Southern California meet its future water needs through
a combination of water recycling, desalting, conservation and water
storage. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Calvert), the author of the bill.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my chairman, Mrs.
Napolitano, for the hard work that she has put into all these water
bills and for her desire to make sure that areas such as southern
California have water for the future.
The South Orange County Recycled Water Enhancement Act is a
relatively modest yet important step toward meeting the long-term water
needs for the West. Water recycling is an approach that more and more
communities are tapping to meet local and regional water demand. To
address the continued growth of water users, communities are truly
maximizing the use of every drop of water.
The South Orange County Recycled Water Enhancement Act authorizes two
water reclamation projects in the South Orange County portion of my
district. South Orange County relies heavily on imported water from
sources such as the Colorado River and the Bay Delta in northern
California.
Water reclamation projects and other steps which reduce demand for
imported water benefit all regional water uses. The first project
outlined in this legislation is the San Juan Capistrano recycled water
system, which would enable the City of San Juan Capistrano to provide
recycled water to users throughout the city and its neighboring
communities. To meet the local demand, the City has developed a project
that includes the construction of a water treatment facility as well as
transmission infrastructure.
I want to thank the San Juan Capistrano Mayor Sam Allevato and the
rest of the city council for their dedication to this important
project.
The second part of this project is the San Clemente Reclaimed Water
Project, which would expand San Clemente's reclaimed water
infrastructure by doubling its production capability. When completed,
San Clemente's recycled water project will reduce the city's demand of
domestic water by 3,300 acre feet of water per year. I applaud San
Clemente Mayor Jim Dahl and the entire city council for their entire
commitment to water recycling.
Again, I want to thank my good friend Grace Napolitano, our
chairwoman of the Water and Power Subcommittee, for her leadership and
support of my legislation. I know she shares my belief that water
recycling is an important tool in addressing growing water needs in the
west. Mr. Speaker, I think it is crucial that we recognize and assist
communities that are working to reduce their reliance on imported
water, and I urge all colleagues to support the South Orange County
Recycled Water Enhancement Act.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank staff on
both sides who have been working collaboratively and in a bipartisan
manner.
Water knows no political colors or boundaries. I think we need to
work together to be able to ensure that our economy continues growing,
that water will continue to flow through the faucets and in the rivers
and dams and aquifers.
And along with Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Speaker, I want to urge all Members
to look at their district water needs, and begin to understand it and
be able to work with it so that we can protect the rest of the States
that are going through, whether it is droughts or other areas that they
need help with.
I certainly want to thank my ranking member, Kathy McMorris, who
isn't here, but certainly Mr. Lamborn, who has done a great job. And I
want to thank him specifically, because to work collaboratively and get
these bills out is critical not only in time but in the effect it has
on our economy throughout the Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1140.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________