Washington - Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) reintroduced legislation today that will authorize $50 million for groundwater remediation in Southern California.

"Our community has been plagued by perchlorate contamination for too long," said Rep. Baca. "It is time that the federal government provides a long term solution."

The Southern California Groundwater Remediation Act will create a fund administered by the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, that will assist in the funding and implementation of groundwater remediation. It will support areas covered by the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority.

"The hardworking families in these areas are not at fault and should not have to pay for a largely federally created problem," said Rep. Baca. "The economic burden on these communities is almost as much of a concern as the potential health effects."

An identical bill by Rep. Baca, H.R. 4606, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in September 2004, however was unable to pass the Senate before its adjournment.

The federal government will provide 65% of the funding and state and local governments as well as private entities will provide 35%. Money already spent to clean up contaminated groundwater since January 1, 2000 will be eligible for reimbursement.

Perchlorate is an ingredient in rocket fuel and has been detected in 184 sources in San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties. In the Inland Empire, a seven-mile plume has jeopardized the water supply for approximately 500,000 residents.

Action on perchlorate has been delayed due to a debate over a scientific standard for unsafe perchlorate consumption, and the cause of the contamination.

"It is time that we stop arguing and start delivering instead. It is not important who is responsible for the problem, it is important that our community have some relief."

Original co-sponsors of the bill are Rep. Grace Napolitano, Rep. Ken Calvert, and Rep. Gary Miller.