On June 25, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $2.1 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), $1.39 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and $150 million for targeted water and sewer projects as part of the FY 2010 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
In addition, the House of Representatives passed the FY 2010 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which includes $2.3 billion for the CWSRF, $1.44 billion for the DWSRF and $160 million for targeted water and sewer projects, on June 26.
Overall, the 2010 Interior appropriations bill totals $32.1 billion in non-emergency discretionary spending. That amount is $4.5 billion, or 16%, above the equivalent 2009 enacted level, and $225 million, or 0.7%, below the president’s request.
Along with funding for firefighting and fuels reduction on federal lands, bolstering public land management agencies, protecting public lands through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and helping the American Indian initiatives, the bill includes funding for water infrastructure and environmental protection.
The bill provides $10.19 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is $2.5 billion, or 33%, above the 2009 non-emergency level.
It includes $3.63 billion for water and sewer infrastructure, an increase of $1.9 billion, or 119%, over the 2009 non-emergency level. The Senate mark will fund approximately 1,327 water and sewer projects for communities nationwide. Together with funds passed as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these levels would mean an unprecedented $11 billion provided to states to fund water infrastructure over a two-year period.
The recommendation includes: $2.1 billion for sewer system improvements through the Clean Water State Revolving Funds program, $1.4 billion above the 2009 non-emergency level; $1.39 billion for drinking water system improvements through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds program, $558 million above the 2009 non-emergency level; and $150 million above the request for targeted water and sewer improvements.
The amount of $2.88 billion is marked for environmental programs and management activities, an increase of $486 million, or 20%, above the 2009 level. Funding includes $112 million for climate protection activities, an increase of $17 million above the 2009 level.
The bill gives $478 million for environmental protection programs focused on regional water bodies, including $400 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Included is $1.31 billion for Superfund programs and activities, $24 million, or 2%, above the 2009 non-emergency level.
States and tribes will receive $1.11 billion to fund environmental regulation and protection activities, $16 million, or 1%, above the 2009 level. Funding includes $227 million for state and local air grants, an increase of $2.5 million above the 2009 level, and $229 million for state water pollution control grants, an increase of $11 million above the 2009 level.
Science and technology programs will receive $843 million, for an increase of $53 million, or 7%, above the 2009 level.
More information is available here.
Source: WaterNewsUpdate
