Legislation Would Call for U.S. Geological Survey Study of Rialto-Colton Water Basin

Washington, DC – Today Congressman Joe Baca (D-CA) spoke at a hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power, of which he is a Member, held to examine his legislation H.R. 2316, the Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment Act.  The legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources and perchlorate contamination in the Inland Empire, specifically ordering the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a study of the Rialto-Colton water basin focused on the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto. 

“Many families in the Inland Empire, and throughout Southern California are concerned about the quality and safety of the water they drink,” said Rep. Baca.  “My legislation calls for a much-needed USGS study of the Rialto-Colton water basin in order to find the best possible solutions to cleaning up the perchlorate problem in our area.  I thank the Subcommittee for holding this hearing, and Chairwoman Napolitano for her commitment to clean, safe drinking water for all Americans.”

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, has been found to be present at trace levels in some Inland communities.  Perchlorate is a volatile organic compound that has been found to be harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid function.  As the nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.  The diversity of their scientific expertise enables them to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial scientific information to resource mangers, planners, and other customers.  

Rialto City Council Member Ed Scott testified at the hearing in support of H.R. 2316.  Other witnesses who spoke on the legislation included Michael Connor, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation with the Department of the Interior, and Matthew Larsen, the Deputy Director of Water Resources with the USGS. 

“I thank Rialto City Councilman Ed Scott for his excellent testimony today and for his continued work, along with City Councilman Joe Baca Jr. and the other members of the Rialto City Perchlorate Taskforce, in addressing this important public health issue,” continued Rep. Baca.  “This is a situation that must be addressed.  If left alone, the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto could continue to travel underground – contaminating more wells and compromising the health of more Southern California communities.”

“By providing concrete research from the USGS on the Rialto-Colton water basin and perchlorate contamination, my bill can move us one step closer to finding a realistic solution to this problem,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “We must ensure our communities, neighborhoods, and families have the knowledge and the tools necessary to protect themselves from the harmful effects of perchlorate.” 

H.R. 2316 has been recommended for markup in the Water and Power Subcommittee.  A date for the markup has yet to be determined.  Once the legislation is passed out of the Water and Power Subcommittee it would then move to the full Natural Resources Committee for Passage, before moving to consideration on the floor of the House of Representatives.