Hilda L. Solis: “I rise in support of H.R. 1284, which amends the San Gabriel Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1284, which amends the San Gabriel Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992. This bill will increase the Federal cost share for the San Gabriel Basin groundwater cleanup project. During the project's onset in 1992, the Federal Government was authorized to pay 2.5 percent of the cost of projects to cleanup local water supplies. In 1996 the funding level for the program was capped at $38 million, funding only a portion of the projects that had been designed. As a result of the cap, projects in the southern portion of the basin were not funded, including the El Monte Operable Unit and the South El Monte Operable Unit in my district. Since the cap was put in place, the Southern Operable Units have been working with EPA to develop groundwater cleanup plans. Now, we need money to make the cleanup happen. Cleanup literally means the difference between healthy and unhealthy families. This area is contaminated with perchlorate, trichloroethene and other chlorinated solvents known as 'volatile organic compounds' or VOCs. Each of these contaminants can cause serious health complications. Perchlorate increases chances of cancer and can induce thyroid problems. Trichloroethene has been shown to make people more susceptible to lung and liver tumors. VOCs are harmful to the central nervous system, the kidneys and the liver and can cause a higher risk of cancer, especially leukemia.”