Goals for State-Federal Action

Policy: National Conference of State Legislatures Urges Congress to
Maintain the Federal Commitment to the Clean Water State Revolving Funds

Committee: Environment and Natural Resources Committee

Type: Action

WHEREAS, the FY2006 appropriation for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is $900 million, down nearly $200 million from FY2005 and nearly $450 million from FY2004.

WHEREAS, the administration has recently requested that $166 million of the FY2006 CWSRF appropriation be rescinded.

WHEREAS, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified a $535 billion gap in needed infrastructure funding over 20 years.

WHEREAS, The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) graded the condition of the nation’s wastewater infrastructure as a D- noting that “Older systems are plagued by chronic overflows during major rain storms and heavy snowmelt and, intentionally or not, are bringing about the discharge of raw sewage into the U.S. surface waters.”

WHEREAS, efforts to replace, rebuild and maintain wastewater plants are job-creating projects that make economic good sense and these projects provide states and local communities opportunities to strengthen the security of our wastewater plant network.

WHEREAS, the public’s health is protected through environmentally-sound, well-constructed wastewater treatment plants and projects dealing with non-point sources, storm water, estuaries and sewer overflows.

WHEREAS, the federal government has a responsibility for adequately funding the Clean Water State Revolving Fund since actions taken by states are required by various federal water quality control mandates.

WHEREAS, funding cuts to the Clean Water State Revolving Funds would compromise that protection by eroding the financial support needed to maintain current projects and further inflate the gap in needed infrastructure funding.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the National Conference of State Legislatures calls upon the Congress to maintain its critical role in the state-federal partnership for maintaining clean water and protecting public health.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the National Conference of State Legislatures calls upon the members of Congress to reject any rescission of FY2006 funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the National Conference of State Legislatures urges the administration and the Congress to recommend and provide no less than the FY 2004 appropriations level of $1.342 billion for the CWSRF in FY2007.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States and to all the members of Congress.

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