[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E330-E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL WATER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE 
                              ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2009

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing ``The 
National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009,'' which 
coordinates national research and development efforts on water and 
provides a clear path forward to ensure adequate water supplies for 
generations to come.
  In the United States, over 50,000 water utilities withdraw 
approximately 40 billion gallons per day of water from the Nation's 
resources to supply water for domestic consumption, industry, and other 
uses. When severe water shortages occur, the economic effect can be 
substantial. According to a 2000 report from the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, eight water shortages from drought or heat 
waves each resulted in $1 billion or more in monetary losses over the 
past 20 years.
  Water is essential to everything we do, and there is no substitute 
for it. Many Americans are unaware how stressed our water supplies have 
become. This situation will continue to be exacerbated by increases in 
population and energy demand and shifting weather patterns caused by 
climate change. In order to meet the water demands of the future, it is 
essential that we have the tools needed to utilize water resources 
efficiently and to maintain the quality of our water supplies. Sound 
water management is essential if we are to meet society's water needs 
for industry, agriculture, recreation, and power.
  An adequate supply of treated water is integral to many industries, 
including agriculture and food processing, beverages, power generation, 
paper production, manufacturing, and mineral extraction. Water 
shortages can negatively affect companies and entire industries and 
reduce job creation and retention. Current industry trajectories, 
population growth, and dwindling water supplies all point to increased 
water shortages. Increased water demand will come with increased costs 
to all businesses, industries, and municipalities which rely on the 
same water resources. The Association of California Water Agencies 
reported in April 2008 that California is now losing income and jobs 
due to the State's water supply crisis.
  If we are to meet the water crises of the future, we need an 
effective research and development effort that provides tools and 
information to manage our water resources effectively. Coordination of 
the 20 Federal agencies responsible for water programs is a logical 
place to start. The 2004 National Academies Report on Federal Water 
Research stated that the United States is not getting its money's worth 
on water resources research because of a lack of coordination.
  The legislation I am introducing today builds on the Bush 
Administration's effort to coordinate Federal research on water 
resources by establishing an interagency committee--the Subcommittee on 
Water Availability and Quality (SWAQ) of the National Science and 
Technology Council. The bill codifies this subcommittee and provides it 
explicit Congressional authorization.

[[Page E331]]

  The bill also incorporates recommendations from the 2004 report by 
the National Academies of Science entitled, Confronting the Nation's 
Water Problems: The Role of Federal Research to strengthen the 
committee's role in setting priorities and developing an integrated 
budget to support research on water resources. The Academy's report 
indicated that SWAQ is an effective forum for agencies to share 
information about their efforts on water. However, the report 
identified several issues that needed to be addressed to make SWAQ an 
effective coordinating body.
  This bill strengthens the budget function for SWAQ through 
participation of OMB on the subcommittee. In addition, SWAQ is directed 
to engage in outreach activities to develop connections to state and 
local governments, to a wider community of stakeholders, and to the 
public. These recommendations, and others, helped to form the basis of 
the initiative.
  The Science and Technology Committee held hearings in 2008 to examine 
the problems associated with dwindling water supplies across the Nation 
and to receive testimony as to the recommended role of the Federal 
Government in meeting these challenges.
  Witnesses at these hearings offered recommendations for improving the 
legislation and their suggestions were incorporated into the introduced 
language including the following: additional research outcomes, better 
mechanisms for public involvement, and improved facilitation of 
communication and outreach opportunities with non-governmental 
organizations.
  It is critical that we actively pursue technological innovations to 
ensure future water supplies, and that Federal dollars spent on these 
efforts are utilized in a cost-effective manner. I offer this 
legislation to improve and coordinate Federal research and development 
efforts on water. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and 
to speed its enactment into law.

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