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[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E14]
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

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2009

  Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
will continue to provide safe drinking water to Southern California. 
Identical legislation was approved by the House in 2007 but was still 
awaiting consideration in the Senate when the 110th Congress adjourned. 
It is my sincere hope that we can move quickly to see this bill 
enacted.
  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 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.
  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. That is why this 
bill extends the current authorization of the San Gabriel Basin 
Restoration Fund by a total of $61.2 million--$50 million for the San 
Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, WQA, and $11.2 million for the 
Central Basin Municipal Water District (Central Basin).
  The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, 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 Monte, South El Monte, Whittier 
Narrows and Puente Valley. Since the initial authorization 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 capital 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. I am proud to say that 
this partnership is an example of good stewardship of taxpayer money. 
Congress created the Restoration Fund in 2000, with an initial 
authorization of $85 million, or a 25 percent investment. To date, over 
$70 million has been appropriated, with approximately 83 percent of the 
clean-up provided by local sources and responsible parties, with about 
12 percent federal funding. With this modest increase of $61.2 million, 
bringing the total federal investment to $146.2 million, or 
approximately 14 percent, the WQA and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 
can continue jointly administering this clean-up program.
  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. The cost-effectiveness of the 
original authorization of the Restoration Fund is clear. And without a 
doubt, that cost-effective use of the Federal investment will be 
continued in this new authorization. The Federal partnership will 
continue to hold the coalition of local water agencies and private 
parties together to finish the job that we started a decade ago.
  I look forward to working closely with the House Resources Committee, 
and with the 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 
Representatives Gary Miller, Lucille Roybal-Allard, and Adam Schiff who 
are also cosponsors of this legislation and have long supported the 
safety of our regional groundwater supply.

                          ____________________
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