RESOLUTION TO KEEP THE GROUND WATER REPORT TO CONGRESS A

SEPARATE REPORT FROM THE 305(b) REPORT

WHEREAS: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required under Section 1429 of the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide a Ground Water Report to Congress on the status of state ground water protection programs and to provide a 305(b) Report on the condition of the nation's waters under the Clean Water Act every three years; and

WHEREAS: EPA is considering combining of the Ground Water Report to Congress and the 305(b) Report; and

WHEREAS: the GWPC believes that inclusion of the Ground Water Report to Congress in the 305(b) Report will greatly reduce the importance placed on the ground water resource; and

WHEREAS: the ground water programs of the states should receive attention solely on the merits of this important resource, and such attention would be afforded by preparation of a separate Groundwater Report to Congress as required in Section 1429 of the Safe Drinking Water Act; and

WHEREAS: the GWPC worked with EPA in preparation of the first report that describes the status of the state  ground water protection  programs; and

WHEREAS: further state input should be a priority for EPA, and preparation of the next Report to Congress should begin now with the combined efforts of states and EPA; and

WHEREAS: the GWPC stands prepared to provide the support needed to continue this endeavor; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Ground Water Report required under Section 1429 of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the 305(b) report on the condition of the nation's waters under the Clean Water Act should remain separate; and  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: the GWPC offers its support and assistance to EPA in the preparation of the Ground Water Report; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: that a workgroup be established by EPA to begin preparation of the next Ground Water Report to Congress, and the membership of this workgroup should include states, EPA and other agencies such as the United States Geological Survey.