Clean Water on Earth Day

CLEAN WATER ON EARTH DAY -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 22, 2004)

SPEECH OF HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2004

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to recognize Earth Day and discuss the clean water challenges facing America. 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 of being lost. The 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 no where 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 come at a time when we continue 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 a 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 and the infrastructure which makes it possible. It is time for Congress and the Administration to give serious consideration to making significant new investments in clean water infrastructure. We have dedicated funding sources 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.

Mr. Speaker, I have introduced 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 investment would help clean our environment and help our economy by producing thousands of new, good paying jobs. Unfortunately, this year's version of this important legislation is being held up over ideological issues that have nothing to do with cleaning up the environment or providing future Americans and our habitats with clean, safe water.

I call on my colleagues this Earth Day to reflect on the importance of water in our daily lives and provide the infrastructure that makes clean water possible with funding that it requires.

END