We are making progress in identifying impaired waters, and developing watershed-based approaches to protecting our valuable natural resources. In 1975, 60% of our waters did not meet water quality standards. Today only 40% fail that test.
One of New Jersey's own water bodies to benefit from the Clean Water Act is the Raritan River in the central part of my State. The Raritan is New Jersey's second largest river system. Thanks to the Clean Water Act, this river is cleaner today than it has been in nearly a century. Raw sewage discharges are no longer permitted and industrial dumping has been held in check. Yet the river still remains heavily polluted with contaminated sediments choking off marine life. Polluted runoff and landfills still threaten the river basin. Large volumes of PCBs and dioxin prevent fishing and swimming in the River.
The Raritan has been contaminated by ten Superfund sites, including one that Administrator Browner's agency identified and placed on the National Priority List just last year. The Superfund program is helping EPA clean up these toxic sites and restore this once thriving river. So I would add that the Superfund program is surely a large part of the Clean Water Action Plan.
I applaud the Administration's commitment to redouble our efforts on behalf of cleaner, safer water for all Americans. Under the Clean Water Action Plan, the Administration has identified numerous environmental threats that still need to be addressed. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture have done a remarkable job in targeting those areas that need the greatest attention.
I want to highlight just some of the areas in addition to Superfund, where this Administration deserves tremendous credit:
-- Reducing polluted runoff from urban areas.
-- Improving agricultural practices.
-- Identifying contaminants in our drinking water like those that threaten communities like Toms River in my State.
-- Protecting the public from water-borne illnesses at the beach.
In 1997, there were over four thousand individual closings and advisories at U.S. ocean, Great Lakes, and freshwater beaches. The vast majority of these incidents were attributed to monitoring programs that detected bacteria levels exceeding beach water-quality standards.
In addition to causing beach closures, every year, disease-carrying pathogens cause thousands of illnesses including gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis, respiratory illness, and ear, nose, and throat problems.
With its Beach Action Plan, EPA is assisting the states in improving beach water quality. This is a good start.
As you know, Mr. Chairman, in every Congress since 1993, I have introduced legislation to improve citizens Right-to-Know about the contaminants that could turn their day at the beach into a visit to the doctor.
My bill, cosponsored by fellow committee members Senators Lieberman and Boxer, would require states to develop and implement water quality criteria, monitoring, and public notification procedures for beach goers.
This year, the House of Representatives wisely decided to pick up on my idea and pass a bill that very closely resembles mine. Perhaps they wanted to provide me with a legacy when I leave here. But whatever the reason, I thank them for their hard work.
I hope that the Committee will take up the legislation I introduced and I hope we can have a lively debate on the merits of improving beach water quality. Thank you.