[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 100 (Tuesday, June 17, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H5426-H5428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING THE ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1199) commending the Orange County Water 
District and its employees for their sound financial management and 
innovative groundwater management, water quality, water efficiency, and 
environmental programs, on its 75th anniversary.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1199

       Whereas the Orange County Water District (OCWD) is 
     celebrating its 75th anniversary of providing high quality 
     groundwater to millions of residents in northern and central 
     Orange County, California, and upon this occasion, deserves 
     special recognition;
       Whereas OCWD was created in 1933 by the California State 
     Legislature's passage of Senator N.T. Edwards' SB 1201, which 
     was signed into law on June 14, 1933;
       Whereas OCWD was empowered to manage Orange County's large 
     groundwater basin, to protect the quality and quantity of the 
     groundwater, to conserve and manage groundwater supplies, to 
     protect Orange County's water rights to the flow of the Santa 
     Ana River, and to ensure that the water needs of the people 
     of Orange County, who depend on the groundwater basin, are 
     provided for;
       Whereas in the 1950s, OCWD initiated the region's first 
     sustained artificial recharge replenishment system, which 
     today is one of the most sophisticated and efficient recharge 
     systems in the country;
       Whereas in 1972, OCWD built the internationally-acclaimed 
     Water Factory 21, the Nation's first and largest wastewater 
     purification plant, to use reverse osmosis to purify sewer 
     water for injection along the coast to prevent seawater 
     intrusion;
       Whereas in 1989, OCWD published a comprehensive Groundwater 
     Management Plan for increasing water supplies, cleaning up 
     contamination, and improving basin management, which became 
     the model for groundwater management across the State;
       Whereas in 1991, OCWD's Green Acres Project became 
     operational as the Nation's first landscape irrigation 
     wastewater treatment plant that provided water to local 
     parks, golf courses, highway medians, and industry, freeing 
     high quality drinking water for more valued uses in the arid 
     Orange County;
       Whereas in 2008, OCWD began operating the Groundwater 
     Replenishment System, the world's largest sewer water 
     purification project of its kind built to protect groundwater 
     from seawater intrusion, delaying the need for another ocean 
     outfall and making the region less dependent on imported 
     water from the San Joaquin-Delta and Colorado Rivers by 
     providing a new supply of high quality, locally controlled 
     and energy efficient water to Orange County;
       Whereas OCWD has one of the best water quality monitoring 
     and protection programs, testing for twice the amount of 
     chemicals required by law, maintaining a proactive philosophy 
     of looking for emerging contaminants, and developing southern 
     California's largest constructed wetlands to naturally purify 
     Santa Ana River flows into Orange County;
       Whereas OCWD has one of the highest financial ratings in 
     the State, won every major water award, begun eliminating the 
     evasive arundo donax through its environmental programs, and 
     developed experimental wetlands to clean up dairy wastewater; 
     and
       Whereas OCWD has also developed basin-cleaning vehicles to 
     enhance recharge efficiency, sponsored the Nation's largest 
     Children's Water Education Festival, and brought back the 
     least Bell's vireo, an endangered California songbird: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives commends the 
     Orange County Water District and its employees for their 
     sound financial management and innovative groundwater 
     management, water quality, water efficiency, and 
     environmental programs, on its 75th anniversary.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Resolution 1199 commends the Orange County, California Water 
District and its employees for their sound financial management and 
innovative groundwater management, water quality, water efficiency, and 
environmental programs upon the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
  During its 75-year history, the Orange County Water District has been 
a model for implementing groundwater recharge projects. Starting in 
1950, the Water District developed the region's first sustained 
artificial recharge replenishment system. Earlier this year, the 
District opened its groundwater replenishment system, the world's 
largest sewer water purification project. This project, Mr. Speaker, 
currently is providing a new supply of high-quality water to Orange 
County, while making the region less dependent on imported water from 
Bay Delta and the Colorado River.
  I wish to commend my colleague from California, Congresswoman Loretta 
Sanchez, for sponsoring this very important resolution before us today, 
and I ask my colleagues to support its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution that was introduced 
by our colleagues from southern California.
  The Orange County Water District has experienced rapid changes since 
it was created in 1933. It once relied on pumping ground water for 
agriculture, now it uses a combination of sources, including imported 
and recycled water, for its urban needs. Due to environmental 
litigation, the Orange County Water District will more than likely 
experience significant imported water cutbacks, leading to higher water 
costs that will be passed on to the consumers.
  These same water reductions are forcing family farmers to fallow 
ground and let their crops die. The situation is so dire the Governor 
of California, Governor Schwarzenegger, last week declared parts of 
California under a state of emergency. These same family farmers are 
experiencing higher costs of living caused by the high cost of water as 
well as the high cost of gasoline prices. It is almost a perfect storm, 
and yet we have done nothing to help them to reduce those gas and oil 
prices.
  This resolution is a nice reward to Orange County Water District for 
its hard work over the years, but Congress' time actually should be 
spent in devising energy solutions because, once again, real people are 
suffering and real needs are there.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlelady from California 
(Ms. Loretta Sanchez) such time as she may consume.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today

[[Page H5427]]

the House of Representatives is considering House Resolution 1199, 
which honors the 75th anniversary of the Orange County Water District.
  As a sponsor of this legislation, I would like to thank the Committee 
on Natural Resources, especially the gentleman from West Virginia, 
Chairman Rahall, for his assistance in bringing this resolution to the 
floor, and my good friend from Guam for managing this resolution. I 
also would like to thank the rest of my colleagues from Orange County, 
all of whom are original cosponsors of this resolution.
  You see, this Water District, the Orange County Water District, began 
its operations in 1933 when then California Governor James Rolph, Jr. 
signed it into existence on June 14. At that time, the Water District 
covered more than 163,000 acres and was intended to serve about 60,000 
people primarily in agriculture. That is the beginning of Orange 
County. But today, the Orange County Water District covers well over 
200,000 acres, and it serves a population of more than 2.3 million 
people.
  As it has grown, the Water District has stayed on top of its game at 
the forefront of efforts with respect to water supply and the efficient 
distribution of that through Orange County. And the best example of 
that, of course, is what we just opened in January of this year, and 
that is our groundwater replenishment system.
  The replenishment system is on the cutting edge of water reuse 
technology. It will purify 70 million gallons of water a day to provide 
clean drinking water for more than 100,000 Orange County families.
  This system is the premier groundwater replenishment project in the 
world. And Orange County is often visited by other people from our 
country and from dignitaries from around the world, scientists from 
around the world, engineers from around the world, who want to come and 
see what we are doing. And yes, basically what we're doing is that we 
dispose of the water by flushing the toilet, send it into a tertiary 
process, clean it purer than the water you would find in the ground. We 
put it into the ground, and about 3 or 4 years later the same water is 
being used through your house once again. This makes it self-contained. 
It means that in a desert like southern California, we are not 
importing water for our usage, we're actually using our own water over 
and over, and this is the wave of the future. As I said, so many from 
around the world, from Israel and from other places, are coming to take 
a look at what we have done. And even just recently, the Mayor of Los 
Angeles said he would like to try to make a system like that work in 
the County of Los Angeles.
  So the Orange County Water District's vision and initiative in 
establishing this system is the reason that it received the 2008 Clair 
A. Hill Award from the Association of California Water Agencies, and it 
was also named the Public Water Agency of the Year in 2008.
  Throughout its 75-year history, the Orange County Water District has 
proven that it is a leader in identifying and creating new and existing 
options to meet the water needs of California, of our Nation, and of 
the world. Along with the entire county delegation, I hope that all of 
my colleagues will vote for this resolution today.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. I yield such time as he may consume to another of 
the good representatives of southern California, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Issa).
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I join with the gentlelady from Orange County 
in support of this resolution. But this resolution brings to mind one 
of the challenges we have in California. You see, in California, we 
don't allow coal to be used to make electricity. In California, we 
don't allow nuclear; we banned it for more than 30 years, no new 
nuclear. As a matter of fact, in California, with the exception of some 
geothermal that we can't seem to find a way to bring power lines from 
where it is to where we want it, all of our new power comes from 
natural gas.
  And in California, we are not looking for natural gas. As a matter of 
fact, we don't allow any leasing, Federally or State, off of our 
coastline. Literally a thousand miles of coastline out 200 miles is off 
limits to natural gas. We can't take clean natural gas from our own 
shores in California. As a result, water projects are in danger.
  The gentlelady from California rightfully so did speak about 
groundwater replenishment, which she has in her district and I have in 
my district. We also have desalinization in both of our districts. And 
guess what? Desalinization is another term for electricity-to-water.
  In order to meet our water needs, whether it's pumping from the north 
to the south, pumping for replenishment or, in fact, desalinization, we 
need energy. That energy is electricity. That electricity comes from 
natural gas. That natural gas comes from unstable parts of the world in 
which it must be hauled in by liquefication because we don't meet our 
own natural gas needs.
  Republicans here in the House support opening up the opportunity to 
get natural gas, at least allow some exploration for natural gas 50 
miles off the California coast. That's not difficult. And the leaks, in 
fact, would be methane 50 miles offshore. You wouldn't see it, you 
wouldn't hear it, and it's nonpolluting. And yet, as of today, the 
Democrats continue to block that.
  We need to open up. We've been talking about oil, but we need to talk 
about natural gas. California needs clean natural gas. It's off our 
shoreline, it's close to us today. And I would absolutely urge my 
colleagues, when they're looking at water in California, look at water 
as electricity and electricity as natural gas, and natural gas is 
something we have off our shore that is presently unavailable; 
millions, countless millions of acres unavailable.
  And last, Mr. Speaker, I would hope that when people are talking 
about the acreage that isn't being used today, the 68 million acres 
that's not currently in use, and, you know, we can look at whether some 
of it just recently was granted and it's in exploration, whether it's 
in environmental, we can break it down. But the amazing thing is, out 
of only 41 million acres that is out on lease of any exploration or 
production, we're getting a huge amount of oil off Federal lands. Just 
think if we, in fact, used those 68 million acres over the next few 
years and opened up some major portion of 2.351 billion acres, that's 
2,351 million acres that are not available today.
  So when people talk about the 68 million that are, they should also 
talk about the 41 million that are under use today that are generating 
oil and natural gas, the many millions that are coming in from leases 
that are out that are just now beginning to bear fruit, and of course 
the 2,351 million acres that are presently closed, a lot of which is 
off the California and the gulf coast 50 miles out that no one would 
see, that, in fact, could be drilled in deep water safely, but of 
course is not available today.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I was listening intently to the previous 
speaker, and I'm wondering if he is suggesting that we drill in 
national parks and military bases--when you mentioned all the acreage 
that's available.
  Mr. ISSA. If the gentlelady will yield.
  Ms. BORDALLO. I will yield.
  Mr. ISSA. What I was talking about is a portion of the 2.351 billion 
acres. Obviously, all of us would want to make sure that certain areas 
were not drilled in, but of course most of this acreage we have no idea 
what is there.
  As you probably know, there are 3,400-plus oil wells throughout West 
Virginia. We have overdrilled West Virginia and Oklahoma. We haven't 
put a new drill even for exploration off the California coast in 
decades, not even to find out how much natural gas is out there. And 
that, in fact, from 50 to 200 miles, is an economic zone created by 
Ronald Reagan that belongs to the United States that could be explored.
  Ms. BORDALLO. So the 2 billion acres that you're referring to does 
exclude national parks and all of the military bases?
  Mr. ISSA. Well, Madam Chair, of course it excludes it. But when we 
look at only 3 percent and 6 percent that are under oil leases, we have 
to look at all the available BLM land. Just, for example, though, there 
are 700 million acres that are presently held by the BLM. By 
definition, the Bureau of Land Management holds that for productive 
use. So that would be an example where there are no parks on BLM land, 
there are no national monuments or military bases on those 700 million 
acres alone.

[[Page H5428]]

  Ms. BORDALLO. Well, Mr. Speaker, I was just requesting that the 
gentleman clarify. I want to be sure that his numbers are accurate.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of H. Res. 1199, a resolution congratulating the Orange County 
Water District on its 75th anniversary. The Orange County Water 
District and its employees have effectively delivered innovative 
groundwater management, water quality, water efficiency, and 
environmental programs which will reduce our region's dependence on 
imported water.
  We all know that with increased demand, decreased availability of 
imported water, and higher water quality requirements, future water 
supplies will become even more limited and expensive. If we want to 
sustain southern California's economic growth and provide for a rapidly 
increasing population, we must ensure efficient and reliable access to 
water resources and pursue a modernized sanitation infrastructure. The 
Orange County Water District recognized that we needed a reliable 
source of quality water and has pursued multi-pronged strategies for 
capturing and recycling water that would otherwise flow downstream to 
the ocean.
  The first initiative involves a series of agreements between the 
Orange County Water District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow the District to conserve water 
behind Prado Dam. This water, which would otherwise flow downstream to 
the ocean, is captured to recharge the local aquifer. In addition, the 
Orange County Water District has partnered with the Orange County 
Sanitation District in the development of the groundwater replenishment 
system. This system will take highly treated sewer water and treat it 
above and beyond existing drinking water standards by undergoing an 
advanced purification process that includes two membrane filtration and 
treatment by ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide. Once purified, 
the water will be sent to groundwater recharge facilities or injection 
wells. This project is a model of self-reliance and should be 
replicated throughout water districts around southern California.
  The Orange County Water District is working to ensure water 
reliability for generations to come. This is a comforting thought to 
businesses as well as residents interested in moving to Orange County. 
Their efforts will allow our economy to grow without being restrained 
by potential water shortages.
  I congratulate the Orange County Water District for their 75 years of 
service to the region and I am proud of the Federal, State, and local 
agencies that have worked together to serve the community and address 
the region's growing water needs.
  Mr. CAMPBELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the 
Orange County Water District for its 75 years of exemplary service to 
the communities of Orange County, California.
  Orange County Water District and its employees deserve special 
recognition for their exceptional effectiveness in protecting and 
providing an essential resource for 2.3 million customers in Orange 
County. They are to be acknowledged especially for the quality and 
efficiency of their systems and programs that are among the most 
innovative in the industry. Orange County Water District in its 
dedication to excellence in public service is a shining example of 
government that works.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to express our deep appreciation and 
gratitude to Orange County Water District and congratulate them on 
their 75 years.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1199, Commending 
the Orange County Water District and its employees for their sound 
financial management and innovative groundwater management, water 
quality, water efficiency, and environmental programs, on its 75th 
annIversary.
  As a cosponsor of this resolution and a representative from Orange 
County, I know of the valuable service the OCWD has provided to Orange 
County. The recent drought in California has reminded many of us how 
imperiled our water supply is. Water demand in California is set to 
increase by 16 percent between 2010 and 2030, but fortunately, the OCWD 
is doing much to meet the counties needs.
  The new groundwater replenishment system is one of the world's most 
high-tech, as it produces 70 million gallons per day, enough for half a 
million people. Innovative thinking such as this has greatly helped our 
community, and will do much to meet growing demand.
  On its 75th anniversary, I'd like to again congratulate the OCWD and 
its employees for its valuable contributions to Orange County.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  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 Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1199.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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