Richard Pombo: “I rise in favor of H.R. 3812, a bill authored because in San Joaquin County, California, water supplies are being…”

“I rise in favor of H.R. 3812, a bill authored because in San Joaquin County, California, water supplies are being depleted. The region suffers from highly significant groundwater overdraft and saline intrusion, affecting agricultural, residential and commercial water users. This bill provides a much needed solution to a growing problem. H.R. 3812 authorizes $3.3 million in Federal funding to complete studies that will examine additional surface water supplies, and improve water supply reliability and environmental protection for the Bay-Delta Region. Led by the Bureau of Reclamation, the project's multi-year evaluation would involve the participation and cooperation of a wide range of regional stakeholders and would provide information important to statewide water resource and environmental protection efforts. Areas aided by this bill include Stockton, Lodi, Lockeford, Clements, Waterloo, Farmington, Linden, Wallace, Camp Seco and Valley Springs. A clean, safe water supply is essential to sustain our growing communities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.”