For Immediate Release                                                     Contact: Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256
June 11, 2003

Napolitano's San Gabriel Basin Groundwater Cleanup Bill Passes Resources Committee

The House Resources Committee today unanimously voted in support of 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 two million residents in the City of Industry, El Monte, South El Monte 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.  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 commitment to the 4.4 plan by the year 2016,” 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 over 1 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.  By eliminating the stigma of contamination and providing and protecting the water supply, we are taking a critical step to attract more businesses to our area and help current businesses thrive,” Napolitano commented.

“I want to thank Representatives Calvert, Dreier and Solis, and all members of the Resources Committee for their continued support of this important legislation.  Our bipartisan teamwork led to quick markups in both the Water and Power Subcommittee and the full Resources Committee.  I hope H.R. 1284 will be scheduled for a floor vote in the near future,” concluded Napolitano.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
1609 Longworth Building          Washington, DC 20515          Phone 202-225-5256          Fax 202-225-0027		11627 East Telegraph Road, #100       Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670       Phone 562-801-2134       Fax 562-949-9144
This is an official Web site of the United States House of Representatives.