OLYMPIA, WA, Feb. 23, 2011 -- The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) invites public comments on its proposed list of 51 clean water projects to receive $104 million in loans and grants in 2012.
The projects include upgrades and expansion of sewer plants and collection systems; sewage system improvements; water re-use facilities; water cleanup projects; stormwater and groundwater projects; public clean water education projects, and more.
The funding is contingent on a final state budget. Washington's last state budget allowed up to $108 million in clean water loans and grants for fiscal year 2011.
Funding for Ecology's integrated loan and grant program comes from a combination of dedicated state and federal monies. Of the $104 million total, $15 million comes from the Centennial Clean Water Program, which is funded through state bonds. The federally funded Clean Water Section 319 Nonpoint Source Fund provides $1.8 million. The Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, a combination federal grant, state match and interest and loan repayments, provides $87 million.
The state's nationally recognized integrated funding process integrates multiple funding programs into one-stop shopping for communities that need financial assistance to pay for clean water projects.
The project descriptions and funding amounts are contained in a document titled the State Fiscal Year 2012 Draft Water Quality Funding Offer List and Intended Use Plan (www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/1110017.html) located at this Ecology web page. (www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/cycles/2012/index.html)
Ecology invites comments about its proposed funding list. Email comments to Cindy Price at [email protected] or mail them to Cindy Price, Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. Ecology must receive all comments no later than 5 p.m. March 20, 2011.
Ecology will hold a public meeting about the proposed list at 10 a.m., March 3, at the Tacoma Public Library, Main Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S.
Ecology's Web site: www.ecy.wa.gov
Ecology's Water Quality Program: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/wqhome.html
Learn how you can help protect Washington's waters: www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/
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