CONTACT: Jim
Philipps
Tuesday, February 13, 2001
202/225-3665
BOEHLERT: WE MUST ADDRESS WATER INFRASTRUCTURE CRISIS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), the immediate past Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, today offered the following remarks at a press conference discussing the need for Congress to pass legislation to address the water infrastructure crisis in America:
"We, Republicans and Democrats, Congressmen and Senators, local officials and contractors, environmentalists and union members, are here this morning for one basic reason – to begin the process of addressing the water infrastructure crisis facing our nation. "The Water Infrastructure Now Report," being unveiled this morning, will serve as a legislative roadmap, a template, as we begin the task of drafting WATER-21. Only through close collaboration with the diverse interests represented by the Water Infrastructure Network, can we hope to construct legislation that addresses the diverse water infrastructure challenges facing our nation.
"I refer to the legislative journey we are embarking in as WATER –21 to remind those who often take infrastructure for granted of our recent investments in other critical infrastructure. In TEA-21, the Transportation Efficiency Act, Congress committed over $215 billion to the repair of America's highways and in AIR-21, Congress committed $40 billion to the repair of our nation's airports. WATER-21 is the obvious next chapter in the Congressional efforts to repair America's crumbling infrastructure.
"Before I go any further, I want to thank Detroit Mayor Archer for his compelling call for new investment in America's water infrastructure. Mayors are on the front lines in this battle and we should heed their call for reinforcements.
"Data compiled by EPA and corroborated by the Water Infrastructure Network suggests that during the next 20 years America's cities, towns, and villages will confront an annual funding shortfall for wastewater and drinking water system improvements of over $20 billion. Let me repeat this point. Communities of all sizes, in every Congressional District, are facing a $20 billion annual shortfall in water infrastructure funding.
"Wastewater and drinking water infrastructure are the cornerstones of the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act – arguably the two most effective health and environment statutes in American history. However, without adequate investment in water infrastructure the dramatic health and environmental gains of the past three decades may be lost.
"We cannot go backward on clean and safe water and I look forward to working with my colleagues in both the House and Senate to make Water-21 a reality in the 107th Congress."