[CPEO-MEF] Perchlorate at former defense sites

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

[Note the bi-partisan support for this legislation. - LS]

News Release
U.S. Congressman Joe Baca
May 11, 2006

BACA LEADS EFFORT TO FURTHER PERCHLORATE RESEARCH

Washington - The House of Representatives today passed a proposal by 
Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) to require the Department of Defense to 
study perchlorate contamination at Formerly Utilized Defense Sites (FUDS).

Rep. Baca said, "The passage of my amendment will allow us to get a full 
understanding of the scope of perchlorate contamination and therefore 
increase support for additional funding for cleaning up affected water 
sources -- and hold polluters accountable."

Rep. Baca, who has been a leader in Congress on perchlorate cleanup, 
succeeded in bringing this measure to a vote by submitting an amendment 
to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5122).  The amendment 
was passed by voice vote early this afternoon, and passage of the entire 
bill is expected later tonight.

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine), Chairman of the House Armed Services 
Committee, called this "an excellent amendment" and asserted that this 
"issue requires and justifies action by the federal government".

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, is a volatile organic compound that 
has been found to be harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid 
function.  According to experts, 90% of the perchlorate found in water 
comes from a federal source, primarily from former military sites and 
other Department of Defense installations.

Perchlorate affects the safety of drinking water and also contaminates 
the food supply.  It has been detected in lettuce in the Imperial 
Valley, which relies on the Colorado River for irrigation.  And 
perchlorate has even been found in milk from dairies near contaminated 
water sources.

Cities and counties across the country are closing their groundwater 
wells due to perchlorate contamination.  Throughout the state of 
California, 319 wells are impacted, including 78 in the 43rd 
Congressional District, an Inland Empire area represented by Rep. Baca.

"I have made cleaning up water sources in Rialto, Fontana and Colton 
contaminated by perchlorate one of my top priorities," said Rep. Baca.

Rep. Baca also proposed another amendment to the defense authorization 
legislation to fund grants for local communities involved in perchlorate 
cleanup, but this amendment was not approved for consideration on the 
floor. Rep. Baca said, "I will continue working on federal funding for 
perchlorate cleanup.  Most of the contamination resulted from the 
federal government, so local communities should not get stuck paying the 
bill."

The House of Representatives has already passed legislation introduced 
by Rep. Baca to boost funding for cleaning up contaminated water 
sources, including those affected by perchlorate.  Rep. Baca's 
legislation, the Southern California Groundwater Remediation Act (H.R. 
18) authorizes $50 million for groundwater remediation in areas covered 
by the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, including San Bernardino, 
Riverside and Orange counties. The Senate has not yet passed this 
legislation, but Rep. Baca is working with Senator Dianne Feinstein 
(D-CA) to gain support.

"I appreciate the work of Senator Feinstein, Senator Boxer, Assemblyman 
Joe Baca Jr. and local officials on this issue.  We have had a true team 
effort," said Rep. Baca.

Rep. Baca also expressed his thanks to fellow California Congressmen 
David Dreier, Jerry Lewis and Richard Pombo for supporting his amendment 
related to research on perchlorate contamination.  In addition, he 
acknowledged the help that Armed Services Chair Duncan Hunter and 
Ranking Member Ike Skelton provided to get his amendment included and 
passed.

###


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Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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