Letter to Constituents

Letter

Working for Clean Water in the Inland Empire

Dear Friend,

Every American deserves access to clean, safe drinking water. That is why I have continuously fought for legislation to move us closer to finding a solution to our area's percholorate problem. I am proud to announce that yesterday evening, the House of Representatives unanimously approved an amendment I offered to H.R. 4310, -- the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 201,3 calling for a government based study of perchlorate contamination in the Inland Empire. The amendment specifically orders the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a study of the Rialto-Colton water basin focused on the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto.

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, has been found to be present at trace levels in some Inland communities. Perchlorate is a volatile organic compound that has been found to be harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid functions. As the nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.

If left alone, the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto could continue to travel underground -- contaminating more wells and compromising the health of more Southern California communities. By studying the contamination in the Rialto-Colton Basin, my amendment helps to find a concrete solution to this problem. I will continue to fight for clean water for the people of the Inland Empire.

Sincerely,

JOE BACA, Congressman
43rd Congressional District

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