Washington, DC – 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 the entire bill passed later in the day.

 

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 Southern California, 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 43^rd 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.