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Week Ending October 21, 2005
H.R.177 To amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Prado Basin Natural Treatment System Project, to authorize the Secretary to carry out a program to assist agencies in projects to construct regional brine lines in California, to authorize the Secretary to participate in the Lower Chino Dairy Area desalination demonstration and reclamation project, and for other purposes.
BRIEF
The bill would establish in the Treasury the Southern California Groundwater Remediation Fund, an interest bearing account to be used to compensate local water authorities for the Federal share (not to exceed 65 percent) of Groundwater remediation projects in the watershed of the Santa Ana River in southern California.
The report from the House Subcommittee on Water and Power explained, “Throughout the Santa Ana watershed in southern California, approximately 30 water wells are currently shut down or out of production due to perchlorate and other contaminants. Some estimate that an additional 300 wells are at risk because of perchlorate, a naturally occurring and man-made chemical. In Rialto, California, a perchlorate plume has spread approximately seven miles from the City's industrial area. The contamination, affecting 250,000 residents, has prompted State and federal investigations and triggered a water emergency.
“Much of the perchlorate manufactured in the United States is used as an ingredient of solid rocket propellant, fireworks and roadside flares. Research indicates that perchlorate interferes with iodide uptake into the thyroid gland. In adults, the thyroid helps to regulate metabolism. In children, the thyroid plays a major role in proper development and metabolism. As a result, officials in southern California are working to develop long-term plans for groundwater remediation.”
“The bill requires a local cost share of 35 percent. Perchlorate is the chemical compound of primary concern, although funds will be available to remediate other groundwater challenges in the area.”
Sponsor: Representative Gary G. Miller (R-CA-42nd)
Vote: Passed house by voice vote October 18, 2005
Cost to the taxpayers: No cost data was provided with the bill, however, an earlier version (HR 4606) was scored by the CBO as follows: “‘CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4606 would cost $39 million over the 2005-209 period and an additional $46 million after that period. In addition, enacting this bill would increase direct spending by less than $500,000 annually over the 2005-2006 period and by about $1 million annually over the 2007-2014 period.’”
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MORE INFORMATION
`(a) In General- The Secretary, in cooperation with the Chino Basin Watermaster, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, and the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority and acting under the Federal reclamation laws, shall participate in the design, planning, and construction of the Lower Chino Dairy Area desalination demonstration and reclamation project.
`(b) Cost Sharing- The Federal share of the cost of the project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed--
`(1) 25 percent of the total cost of the project; or
`(2) $50,000,000.
`(c) Limitation- Funds provided by the Secretary shall not be used for operation or maintenance of the project described in subsection (a).
`(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
`(e) Sunset of Authority- This section shall have no effect after the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this section.'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- The table of sections in section 2 of Public Law 102-575 is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1636 the following:
`1638. Lower Chino dairy area desalination demonstration and reclamation project.'.
Section 1631(d) of the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (43 U.S.C.390h-13(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking `paragraph (2)' and inserting `paragraphs (2) and (3)'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(3) The Federal share of the costs of the project authorized by section 1624 shall not exceed the following:
`(A) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
`(B) $24,200,000 for fiscal year 2008.
`(C) $26,620,000 for fiscal year 2009.
`(D) $29,282,000 for fiscal year 2010.
`(E) $32,210,200 for fiscal year 2011.
`(F) $35,431,220 for fiscal year 2012.
`(G) $38,974,342 for fiscal year 2013.
`(H) $42,871,776 for fiscal year 2014.
`(I) $47,158,953 for fiscal year 2015.
`(J) $51,874,849 for fiscal year 2016.'.
(a) In General- The Secretary of the Interior shall establish at the Orange County Water District located in Orange County, California, a center for the expressed purposes of providing--
(1) assistance in the development and advancement of membrane technologies; and
(2) educational support in the advancement of public understanding and acceptance of membrane produced water supplies.
(b) Management of Center-
(1) CONTRACTS- In establishing the center, the Secretary shall enter into contracts with the Orange County Water District for purposes of managing such center.
(2) PLAN- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with the Orange County Water District, shall jointly prepare a plan, updated annually, identifying the goals and objectives of the center.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to carry out subsections (a) and (b), $2,000,000, for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
(d) Report- Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Orange County Water District, shall provide a report to Congress on the status of the center and its accomplishments.
(e) Sunset of Authority- This section shall have no effect after the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this section.
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