  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - September 24, 2002
02-178
OLYMPIA - Communities throughout Washington will share approximately $145 million to improve and protect water quality in lakes, rivers and bays over the next year.
The grants and low- interest loans, passed along by the state Department of Ecology, will help 73 communities and other public organizations upgrade and expand outdated wastewater-treatment facilities, install water-reclamation and re-use facilities, enhance irrigation systems, and more.
"These dollars for local water-quality projects illustrate the partnership between the state and local communities," said Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons. "We recognize that many communities are struggling to find money to address important water quality problems, and it's great to be able to offer a helping hand."
Ecology, with assistance from the Washington Conservation Commission and the state Department of Health, reviewed 119 proposed projects and also conducted a formal public review. After considering the public comments, the agency selected the projects based on the severity of the existing or potential water-quality or public-health problems; the effectiveness of proposed projects to solve pollution problems; and whether there were regulatory requirements driving the project. In addition, Ecology considered the priorities that communities established for the projects.
Counties sharing the funding include: Asotin, Benton, Clark, Cowlitz, Garfield, Grant, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Whatcom, Whitman and Yakima.
A complete list of the projects is posted on Ecology's Web site at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/2003/. (Note: Link removed April 1, 2003.)
Ecology administers the loan and grant program and also provides technical assistance. Funding is provided through the Centennial Clean Water Fund, Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint-Source Fund.
Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, (360) 407-6239
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
