Earlier this year, I introduced S. 968 with Senators Mack, Cleland, Lincoln, and Robb. The Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999 seeks to establish a water resource development program for states not covered by the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992.
I ask unanimous consent that a statement by my colleague Senator Mack be inserted immediately following my statement.
Companion legislation to S. 968 was introduced on the House side by Congresswoman Karen Thurman of Florida.
Twenty-five House members have joined her in co-sponsoring the bill, including most of the Florida delegation and members from Georgia, Arkansas, and New York.
This legislation is critical to the environmentally-friendly development of water resources in the eastern United States.
Our Water Supply Needs Are Great
Nationwide, an increasing amount of water is in demand to provide for increasing populations and environmental needs.
Current water supplies are sufficient in some states, but in many high growth areas such as New York, Florida, Illinois and other states in the eastern half of our country, traditional sources are no longer adequate to meet demand.
For example, Florida grew by 15% or almost 2 million people over the last 8 years. It is expected to grow by 6.7 million additional residents by 2025.
Georgia is anticipated to grow by over 2.5 million people, and North Carolina by 2.1 million.
In these high growth states, public water supply use has doubled the rate of increase of the U.S. Average Use between 1980 and 1 995.
U.S. Water Supply Use during that period increased by about 16%.
In Florida, it increased by 43%.
In Georgia, it increased by 37%.
In New Hampshire, it increased by 32%.
This increase has resulted in severe water conditions.
Georgia: Surface water and groundwater supplies are not readily available around many of the largest population centers. In coastal areas, industrial, agricultural, and municipal usage have caused large cones of depression, some of which are merging and resulting in significant saltwater intrusion.
New York: According to the U.S. Geological Survey, water levels in aquifers on Long Island may decline by as much as 18 feet, and low flows in streams may be decreased by 90 percent in parts of Long Island. Droughts occasionally cause inadequate water supply for New York City.
New Jersey: According to U.S. Geological Survey, surface water supplies, which serve most of northern New Jersey, are only adequate when precipitation is greater than normal.
We all experienced the extreme drought in the Washington, DC region over the summer:
By the beginning of August in Maryland, over 60 community water systems had instituted mandatory or voluntary water restrictions.
On September 22, the Virginia Weekly Crop and Weather Report stated that the state's topsoil is 67% short of moisture and that 55% of the state's corn crop was considered poor or very poor.
These examples demonstrate the need for a water supply program in eastern states similar to the one that already exists in western states.
Last year, we directed funding toward improvements in our highway infrastructure.
But, our water supply needs have not received adequate attention. Inadequate, poorly planned water supply infrastructure can negatively impact both human heath and the environment.
The Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999 Offers a Solution
My legislation is designed to provide states with the assistance they need to meet the needs of growing populations without harming the environment.
It seeks to establish a grant program implemented by EPA that provides funds to development agencies in areas with critical water supply needs.
States will only be eligible if they have undertaken a planning effort to assess availability of water resources and produced a 20-year water resource management plan, demonstrated that existing sources are inadequate, and provide 50% of the funds.
The bill seeks to authorize $75M per year for the first 5 years after enactment.
Only those states that do not already receive funds for water supply projects under the Bureau of Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 will be eligible for this program. The 1998 appropriation level for this program was $740 million.
Conclusion
S. 968, the Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999, seeks to improve the water supply situation in eastern states.
It provides funds on a cost-share basis to states for development of non-traditional water resources that will both provide much needed water and prevent environmental damages.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.