For Immediate Release                                                  Contact: Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256
September 16, 2003

House Passes Napolitano’s San Gabriel Basin Groundwater Cleanup Bill

The House of Representatives today passed Congresswoman Grace Napolitano’s bill to increase federal funding for the San Gabriel Basin groundwater cleanup, H.R. 1284.  “This bill would raise the allowable federal funding level for the San Gabriel Basin Demonstration Project by $12.5 million.  This project has been enormously successful — bringing together local and state governments and the business community to clean up groundwater contamination.  With more funding it can expand to benefit more of our local communities,” explained Napolitano (D-CA38).

In 1992 Congress authorized the Bureau of Reclamations to provide 25% federal matching funds for projects which combine groundwater cleanup with expanded water supply storage.  “The Water and Power Subcommittee hearing conducted earlier this year on this bill clearly established a compelling need to extend funding for this successful program. The nearly 1.7 million residents in the City of Industry, Hacienda Heights and other surrounding communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley deserve a safe and secure water supply,” stated the Congresswoman.

H.R. 1284 is an important component of Southern California’s overall plan to protect its water supply.  “California must live up to our agreement with other Colorado River Basin States and ultimately take no more than 4.4 million-acre feet of water from the Colorado River per year by 2016.  Continuing effective aquifer cleanup activities, which HR 1284 allows, combined with water conservation, recycling, desalination, above and underground storage will allow the State of California to meet our deadline,” the Congresswoman noted.

The effects of this bill could be far reaching.  “An expansion of the cleanup project will protect a source of drinking water for the close to 2 million residents of the San Gabriel Valley, decreasing our dependence on other sources of water.  Further, it could also provide a needed economic stimulus to the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding communities.  Eliminating the stigma of contamination and providing and protecting the water supply is a critical step.  This will attract more businesses to our area and help current businesses thrive,” Napolitano commented.

“I want to thank the cosponsors of H.R. 1284, Chairman Dreier and Ranking Member Solis, for their continued support of this important legislation.  I also want to thank Chairmen Calvert and Pombo for helping H.R. 1284 reach the House floor this year.  Our bipartisan teamwork led to this bill’s success throughout the legislative process.  I look forward to H.R. 1284 passing the Senate and being signed by the President in the near future,” concluded Napolitano.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
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