Rep. Tauscher Statement on 34th Earth Day

"Earth Day is a valuable time to reflect on our environment and its continuing degradation. One arena of environmental improvement that I have worked on during my time in Congress has been the clean water challenges facing Americans.

"Over the last three decades our nation has made significant progress in addressing the pollution of lakes, streams, rivers and estuaries. However, these crucial gains in water quality are in jeopardy. Wastewater treatment facilities that have been the cornerstone of the Clean Water Act's success are now in need of critical upgrades and the resources for this environmental imperative are nowhere to be found. The Government Accounting Office, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Water Infrastructure Network have all found a wastewater infrastructure funding gap in excess of $500 billion over the next 20 years.

"These assessments are particularly concerning now, as the President continues to reduce the federal commitment to clean water infrastructure. The FY 2005 Administration Budget calls for less than $2 billion in federal investment for both wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. This declining investment in America's clean water comes at time when we are providing nearly $4 billion to Iraq for water infrastructure.

"The time has come for our nation to rededicate itself to the importance of clean water. Congress and the Administration need to seriously consider significant new investments in clean water infrastructure. We have dedicated funding to support our highway, aviation, and navigation infrastructure and it is now incumbent upon us to find similar funding support our nation's most critical infrastructure-water infrastructure.

"To achieve these improvements, I have cosponsored legislation to reauthorize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in the last three Congresses that would increase the federal investment in clean water infrastructure ten-fold. This measure would help clean our environment and help our economy by producing thousands of new, good paying jobs. Unfortunately, this year's version of the legislation is being held up over partisan disputes that have nothing to do with cleaning up the environment or providing Americans and our habitats with clean, safe water.

"Today, on Earth Day, I call upon my colleagues to reflect on the importance of water in our daily lives and properly fund the development of infrastructure that makes clean water possible."