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HRES 725 IHEH

Whereas clean water is a natural resource of tremendous value and importance to the Nation;

Whereas there is resounding public support for protecting and enhancing the quality of the Nation's rivers, streams, lakes, marine waters, and wetlands;

Whereas maintaining and improving water quality is essential to protect public health, fisheries, wildlife, and watersheds and to ensure abundant opportunities for public recreation and economic development;

Whereas it is a national responsibility to provide clean water for future generations;

Whereas since the enactment of the Clean Water Act in 1972, substantial progress has been made in protecting and enhancing water quality due to a deliberate and national effort to protect the Nation's waters;

Whereas substantial improvements to the Nation's water quality have resulted from a successful partnership among Federal, State, and local governments, the private sector, and the public;

Whereas serious water pollution problems persist throughout the Nation and significant challenges lie ahead in the effort to protect water resources from point and nonpoint sources of pollution and to maintain the Nation's commitment to a `no net loss' of wetlands;

Whereas the Nation's decaying water infrastructure and a lack of available funding to maintain and upgrade the Nation's wastewater infrastructure pose a serious threat to the water quality improvements achieved over the past 35 years;

Whereas the Environmental Protection Agency, the Congressional Budget Office, and other stakeholders have identified a funding gap of between $300,000,000,000 and $400,000,000,000 over the next 20 years for the restoration and replacement of wastewater infrastructure;

Whereas further development and innovation of water pollution control programs and advancement of water pollution control research, technology, and education are necessary and desirable; and

Whereas October 18, 2007, is the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Clean Water Act: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the 35th anniversary of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act);

(2) recommits itself to restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Clean Water Act;

(3) dedicates itself to working toward a sustainable, long-term solution to address the Nation's decaying water infrastructure; and

(4) encourages the public and all levels of government--

(A) to recognize and celebrate the Nation's accomplishments under the Clean Water Act; and

(B) to renew their commitment to restoring and protecting the Nation's rivers, lakes, streams, marine waters, and wetlands for future generations.