Washington, D.C. - Rep. Baca (D, Rialto) introduced legislation Thursday that will create a federal fund to assist in groundwater remediation in Southern California. Southern California, and particularly the Inland Empire, has been greatly impacted by perchlorate-contaminated water. 

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 and the San Gabriel River watershed. 

"This legislation could mean a great deal for Southern California and become a model for other communities facing similar groundwater contamination crises," said Rep. Baca. 

The bill will authorize funds for groundwater clean up, including federal matching funds for remediation projects started on or after January 1, 2000. It provides 65% of total project funding from the federal government and requires 35% come from state and local agencies, or private entities. Money already spent to clean up contaminated groundwater will be eligible for reimbursement. 

The bill will also require an Inspector General to conduct audits and issue reports so that local governments and agencies will know how their money is being spent. 

"Perchlorate clean-up is tremendously expensive and the economic concerns to this area are almost as much of a concern as the availability of clean water," said Congressman Baca. 

Rep. Grace Napolitano is the co-author of the bill. A hearing on Rep. Baca's bill, and a similar bill introduced by House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R, Stockton) that covers Santa Clara County, will be held on Wednesday, June 23, before the Water and Power Subcommittee of the House Resources Committee.

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