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e . . water extracted in coal bed methane drilling was a discharge of pollutants since the discharge water was saltier than the receiving river. Rural and Small Community Water Enhancement Act: On May 20 U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman, Max Baucus (D-MT), Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) introduced the Reclamation Rural and Small Commnnity Water Enhancement Act (S. 1085). According to the statement ofintroduction, "This bill is intended to address a critical issue facing many small towns and rural areas -- access to adequate water supplies to provide for present and future needs." S. 1085 reads, "The Secretary, acting pursuant to the Federal reclamation laws, is directed to undertake a program to investigate and identify opportunities to ensure safe and adequate regional rural water supply systems for municipal and industrial use in small communities and rural areas [with a population under 40,000] through the construction of new regional rural water supply systems and the enhancement of existing rural water supply systems." The Secretary of Interior is to consult with EP A and USDA, as well as other federal, state, tribal, regional and local authorities. Interior is authorized, at the request of a local sponsor, to under- take appraisal investigations (that are non-reimbursable) and feasibility studies (with a 50% non- federal cost share). Interior may increase the federal cost share "based upon a demonstration of financial hardship," as well as accept in-kind services. In some cases, the Secretary may also include communities over 40,000 that are considered to be a "critical partner" in any proposed regional rural water supply system. National Water Policy Debate: On May 7 the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on H.R. 135 to create a 21st Century National Water Commission. Rep. John Duncan (R- TN), Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee observed that he respects the primary role that states play in addressing water supply issues, but the federal government can provide expertise and technical assistance. Rep. John Linder (R-GA), who introduced the bill, testified, "The future of our nation's water supply is a serious and critical issue. Many states across the Nation are currently facing a water crisis, or have in the last few years. Once thought to be a problem only in the arid West, severe droughts last summer have caused water shortages up and down the East Coast. States once accustomed to an unlimited access to water are now experiencing problems the West has had for decades. The United States and its resources have changed dramatically over the past three decades. We simply cannot afford to maintain the status quo with something as critical as our Nation's fresh water supply." Lieutenant General Robert Flowers, Army Corps of Engineers Chief, testified, "We believe that a [National Water Commission] could provide a helpful forum to formulate a framework for addressing...future challenges.... Almost without exception, population is growing fastest where there is already competition for available water supplies.... Primacy for water resources management in the U.S. has been and must continue to be at the state and local level.... However, a 21st Century approach...requires decision makers to integrate a complex array of public values and institutional polices." Susan Gilson, Executive Director, Interstate Council on Water Policy, testified, "ICWP is pleased that H.R. 135 recognizes the ever-growing importance of focusing national attention on water management issues." She quoted testimony last year by the Congressional Research