Gov. Gregoire announces clean water Recovery Act projects

Washington State Department of Ecology

Office of Governor Christine Gregoire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 15, 2009
Contacts:
Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Department of Ecology, 360-407-6408

Note: this news release was clarified on June 18, 2009

Gov. Gregoire announces clean water Recovery Act projects

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire and Department of Ecology Director Jay Manning today announced the clean water projects across the state that will receive a total of $65.4 million in federal stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The list is now official after receiving final approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“This economic recovery funding will create jobs and clean water supplies for communities around our state – essentially doubling the money we could offer during these otherwise economically depressed times,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Of the total $65.4 million, $13.6 million will go for “green reserve” projects, such as stormwater green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency, and environmentally innovative projects. Ecology will award more than $34.1 million in additional support through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for construction of facilities in hardship communities. The remaining $17.7 million goes to both hardship and non-hardship projects.

Prior to Recovery Act funding, Ecology planned to distribute about $71 million based on a final state budget. Ecology now can offer 57 projects equaling more than $140 million.

Ecology integrated the clean water recovery act funding into its long-standing and reputable water quality loan and grant program, allowing communities an opportunity to compete for State Revolving Fund and stimulus funding.

Ecology Director Jay Manning said, “These high-priority projects provide clean water, reduce stormwater pollution, and enhance the quality of life that makes Washington a special place.”

Changes from the revised draft list, published on April 20, resulted in recovery funding of five additional “green reserve” projects. These projects include green infrastructure, water and energy efficiencies, and environmentally innovative projects. These projects include:

LOTT Alliance, a jointly operated sewer utility in Thurston County, will receive approximately $2.7 million to construct the Deschutes Parkway Reclaimed Water Pipeline project. The project will reuse highly treated wastewater rather than discharging it into Budd Inlet.
Westport will receive nearly $600,000 for improvements to its wastewater treatment plant that employ low-impact development strategies under the state’s Green Building Initiative.
Tacoma’s stormwater treatment retrofit project will receive more than $1.8 million. The “green” infrastructure project aims to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff.
Kittitas County Public Health Department will receive nearly $500,000 for a program to prevent bacteria from failing septic systems from polluting the Wilson Creek basin. The program will include public education, assistance and help to replace failing septic systems.
Richland is getting $1.85 million for improvements to its wastewater treatment plant that will reduce energy use and improve water treatment. Nine hardship communities will receive Recovery Act funding.
Airway Heights (Spokane County), water reclamation and recharge project, approximately $23 million.
Bremerton Public Works and Utilities (Kitsap County), Gorst sewerage project, $4.1 million, and Gorst septic system replacement, nearly $1.3 million.
Raymond and South Bend (Pacific County), Willapa regional wastewater facilities, $2.5 million.
Uniontown (Whitman County), wastewater treatment plant upgrade, $2.3 million.
Rock Island (Douglas County), wastewater treatment plant, $3.4 million.
Cowlitz County, Ryderwood project to improve the plant’s treatment abilities, $2.9 million.
Kittitas (Kittitas County), project to improve treatment plant, $742,000.
Partial funding for Mason County, Belfair wastewater and water reclamation facilities, $5.9 million.

Only publicly owned water pollution control facilities and associated activities that are ready to proceed to construction are eligible for Recovery Act funds — which Washington awards in the form of low-interest loans and additional through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Ecology will administer the funding.

The funding will help local governments pay for water pollution control infrastructure including the upgrade and expansion of wastewater, reclaimed water and stormwater facilities, and green infrastructure projects that improve water or energy efficiency, or other environmentally innovative activities. The funding will also provide new jobs in Washington.

For a complete list of the projects, see the State Revolving Fund FY 2010 Final Intended Use Plan posted on Ecology’s Web site at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/StimFunding/FedStimFundsSRF.html.

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Ecology media contact: Sandy Howard, 360-407-6408; 360-791-3177 (cell); srud461@ecy.wa.gov