|
HEADLINES
Rural water appropriations pass both houses
 | | Congress also shifted more funding for rural water and wastewater into grants. |
The US House and Senate agreed last week on an agriculture appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010 that gives rural water and wastewater programs more than the regular FY2009 appropriation and more than what the Obama Administration had requested.
The total Department of Agriculture appropriation for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010, totals $121.2 billion — $264 million more than the 2009 budget (which included the stimulus money) and $12.8 billion more than the regular FY2009 appropriation. HR2997 makes appropriations for agriculture, rural development, Food and Drug Administration and related agencies' programs. Here's what is in the bill for rural communities from a water point of view: - Rural Utilities: Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program — $568.7 million
More funding is shifted into grants, instead of loans. This amount is $12.5 million above the regular appropriation for FY2009 (more detail below). - Environmental Quality Incentives Program — $1.18 billion
(vs. $1.1 billion in FY2009) - Water quality research — $12.6 million
- Natural Resources Conservation Services — $887.6 million
including $37 million for congressionally designated projects
(vs. $758 million in FY2009). Includes:
- Grassroots Source Water Protection — $5 million
- Watershed Rehabilitation Program — $40.2 million
- Watershed and Flood Prevention — $30 million
The conference agreement provides $568.7 million for the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account, the amount proposed by the Senate, instead of the $556.2 million proposed by the House and the $546.2 million requested by the administration. It includes $70 million for water and wastewater programs for Native American tribes and the Hawaiian Home Lands. That also includes $19.5 million for technical assistance to rural water and wastewater systems, including $15 million for contracting with National Rural Water Association for a circuit rider program to provide technical assistance for rural water systems — a significant boost from FY2009 when $11.5 million was appropriated for that program. That fund also supports the National Drinking Water Clearinghouse. Language in the conference bill says that if the secretary of agriculture "makes a determination of extreme need," a $6 million grant from this fund would be made available to "a qualified nonprofit multi-state regional technical assistance organization with experience in working with small communities [under 3,300]"; the purpose of the grant would be to improve the planning, financing, development, operation and management of their systems. The House passed its version of the bill (266 to 160) July 9. The Senate passed its version (80 to 17) Aug. 4. The House agreed to the conference report Oct. 7 and the Senate on Oct. 8. The president is expected to sign the bill. Additional AWWA Resources
Sandy Nance, Managing Editor
Posted: 10/13/2009
| 
