Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Chairman, before I begin, I would like to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for their hard work and collaboration on this bipartisan and important bill.

I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 4923, the Energy and Water Appropriations Act, to provide additional, critical resources for Bureau of Reclamation environmental restoration projects that address or improve public health conditions.

The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for managing, developing, and restoring our Nation's waters to support the interests of the American public. Mr. Chairman, I can think of fewer efforts more in the public interest than protecting the public's health.

Across the West, the Bureau helps water districts develop recycled water technology to provide safe irrigation water for crops, provides engineering assistance for restoration efforts, and monitors water quality so that communities can take preventative action to protect the environment and public health.

There are many examples in our Nation, and I will give just a couple.

In southern California, in the Coachella Valley, the Bureau of Reclamation plays a large role in protecting public health by monitoring and helping restore the water equality of the Salton Sea. For several decades now, deteriorating water quality and reduced water inflows have made the Salton Sea a threat to southern California residents, and eventually the sea could threaten public health in cities all across southern California.

As the sea dries and the water level recedes, exposed lake bed will release windblown contaminants containing selenium, arsenic, and pesticides. Exposure to these contaminants has been shown to increase the number and severity of asthma attacks; decrease the growth and development of lung function in school-age children; and increase the risk of cardiac disease, heart attacks, and mortality in adults.

Already, exposed lake bed on the southern portion of the sea has had an impact on local air quality, with rates of pediatric asthma-related hospitalizations in the region far above the national average. As an emergency medicine physician, I have seen firsthand the effects of poor air and water quality.

The public health danger to families and children from the Salton Sea is very real, and to help address the exposed lake bed in the southern portion of the sea, a partnership has put together the Red Hill Bay project to cover over 700 acres of exposed lake bed with clean water. These shallow pools will cover the dangerous contaminants in the lake bed, preventing them from becoming airborne and threatening the surrounding communities.

The Bureau of Reclamation supports projects like Red Hill Bay all across the Western United States, working with local stakeholders who recognize the value of ensuring our waters are well managed.

For example, in my neighboring district, California's 42nd District, the Bureau of Reclamation assisted in helping to mitigate public health concerns and water quality issues at Lake Elsinore. Lake Elsinore, like the Salton Sea, has faced chronic challenges related to water level and water quality. Algae blooms from the lake caused public health concerns, and even took the life of a child.

A collaboration between local governments, local water districts, and the Bureau of Reclamation came together to establish a supply of recycled water to maintain water levels and installed aerators to reduce algae blooms and prevent fish die-offs by keeping oxygen levels high.

Lake Elsinore now supports many local businesses, has a flourishing tourism industry, and is safer for residents to enjoy all the benefits the lake has to offer, including swimming and water sports.

My amendment would provide additional resources towards many Bureau water projects throughout the Nation that will protect the public's health. The health of the American people must be put above politics, and I urge my colleagues to come together to support my amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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