SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY

LENGTH: 1640 words

COMMITTEE: SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS

SUBCOMMITTEE: DRINKING WATER, FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

HEADLINE: TESTIMONY WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

TESTIMONY-BY: BOB SMITH , SENATOR

AFFILIATION: NEW HAMPSHIRE

BODY:
March 27, 2001 OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR BOB SMITH Hearing Before the Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee Water Infrastructure - Needs Good Morning. I would like to thank Senator Crapo for holding today's hearing on the important issue of water infrastructure. The magnitude of the issues surrounding drinking and wastewater infrastructure are worthy of a series of hearings. The impact of this issue on the members of this Committee was clearly demonstrated by the questions on the importance of water infrastructure at Administrator Whitman's confirmation hearing. Water Infrastructure issues impact every State and local community. Since I came to Congress, I have been concerned about water infrastructure issues in New Hampshire. Faced with combined sewer overflows and aging infrastructure, New Hampshire has serious infrastructure needs. However, I am proud to say that in large part due to federal contributions, New Hampshire has done an excellent job protecting the waters of the State. I am pleased that Harry Stewart, the Director of The Water Division of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is here today to provide his perspective on the concerns that face New Hampshire and similar Northeastern States. The Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act have been extraordinarily successful in protecting the environment and providing safe, clean, affordable drinking water. Currently, wastewater treatment plants prevent billions of tons of pollutants each year from reaching America's rivers, lakes, and coastlines. This accomplishment is in large part due to the use of the State Revolving Funds. Through a mixture of federal and state dollars, low interest loans are provided to utilities to construct and repair drinking and wastewater facilities. I have supported and will continue to support increases in funding for the SRF. However, the time has come for this Committee to reexamine the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act as they pertain to infrastructure. It is clear from much of the analysis done by industry and EPA that a financial gap exists between the federal and State funding provided to water utilities and the State and local needs. The estimates range from $280 billion dollars to one trillion dollars over the next 20 years. Hopefully, after today's hearing we will have a better idea of what exactly the needs are for water infrastructure. I look forward to listening to the testimony today and at future hearings on this issue. Water infrastructure is a priority for me as Chairman, and I look forward to working with Senator Crapo and all of the members of the Committee to carefully analyze this issue. It is my goal to participate in the hearings and after carefully analyzing all of the issues, work on bipartisan legislation to address this complex issue. Thank you. OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR BOB SMITH Hearing Before the Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee Water Infrastructure - Needs March 27, 2001 Good Morning. I would like to thank Senator Crapo for holding today's hearing on the important issue of water infrastructure. The magnitude of the issues surrounding drinking and wastewater infrastructure are worthy of a series of hearings. The impact of this issue on the members of this Committee was clearly demonstrated by the questions on the importance of water infrastructure at Administrator Whitman's confirmation hearing. Water Infrastructure issues impact every State and local community. Since I came to Congress, I have been concerned about water infrastructure issues in New Hampshire. Faced with combined sewer overflows and aging infrastructure, New Hampshire has serious infrastructure needs. However, I am proud to say that in large part due to federal contributions, New Hampshire has done an excellent job protecting the waters of the State. I am pleased that Harry Stewart, the Director of The Water Division of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is here today to provide his perspective on the concerns that face New Hampshire and similar Northeastern States. The Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act have been extraordinarily successful in protecting the environment and providing safe, clean, affordable drinking water. Currently, wastewater treatment plants prevent billions of tons of pollutants each year from reaching America's rivers, lakes, and coastlines. This accomplishment is in large part due to the use of the State Revolving Funds. Through a mixture of federal and state dollars, low interest loans are provided to utilities to construct and repair drinking and wastewater facilities. I have supported and will continue to support increases in funding for the SRF. However, the time has come for this Committee to reexamine the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act as they pertain to infrastructure. It is clear from much of the analysis done by industry and EPA that a financial gap exists between the federal and State funding provided to water utilities and the State and local needs. The estimates range from $280 billion dollars to one trillion dollars over the next 20 years. Hopefully, after today's hearing we will have a better idea of what exactly the needs are for water infrastructure. I look forward to listening to the testimony today and at future hearings on this issue. Water infrastructure is a priority for me as Chairman, and I look forward to working with Senator Crapo and all of the members of the Committee to carefully analyze this issue. It is my goal to participate in the hearings and after carefully analyzing all of the issues, work on bipartisan legislation to address this complex issue. Thank you.

LOAD-DATE: April 17, 2001, Tuesday