Last Wednesday, President Bush sent Congress a letter through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) detailing how he would like to see the $40 billion Emergency Response Fund spent. The fund, approved in wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, was provided to assist victims and deal with other consequences of the attacks.
Included in EPA's allotment is funding AMWA requested to conduct drinking water system vulnerability assessments. The letter proposes that a total of $76 million be allotted to EPA to "support activities such as drinking water assessments, replacement of equipment destroyed in New York, and various security enhancements." AMWA and key congressional committee leaders had requested $100 million, as well as $55 million for developing emergency response plans. However, the President only requested $34.5 million for the assessments.
Sources say the spending package will be attached to the Defense Department's FY02 appropriations bill, which is expected to be the last of the 13 appropriations bills passed, likely in early November. Excerpt from 10/22/01 Monday Morning Briefing
Source: Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
