8A
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY JAXAN'S
THURSDAY MARCH 2007
》WASTEWATER LEGISLATION
House approves aid for sewage systems
BY JIM ABRAMS ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly endorsed federal help for communities faced with deteriorating sewage systems, ignoring White House warriors that the cost was too high.
The legislation, approved 367-58, would spend $1.7 billion over five years in federal grants to states and municipalities to modernize wastewater systems and control sewage overflows that pollute rivers and streams and pose health risks. Those voting against the bill, which now moves to the Senate, were all Republicans.
"No American should have to walk outside after a storm to see seewage in the streets," said Rep. Doris Matsui (D-California).
Supporters cited Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the nation's wastewater infrastructure would face a funding shortfall of $300 billion to $400 billion over the next 20 years.
"We're talking about affecting the lives of over 40 million people," said Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-New Jersey), a chief sponsor of the legislation.
Rep. Dave Camp (R-Michigan), a sponsor, said many of the sewage systems in his state were built in the 19th century. In 2005; he said, there were more than 1,000 sewer overflows in the state, spilling 20 billion gallons of sewage and wastewater onto the ground and into rivers, lakes and streams.
The White House, in a statement released Tuesday, said the administration strongly opposes the bill, stating that the money approved was "unrealistic in the current fiscal environment."
It added that the bill could also encourage municipalities to delay starting sewer infrastructure projects while they wait for federal subsidies. The statement promoted an administration proposal to give exceptions to state caps on tax exempt private activity bonds for wastewater and drinking water projects.
In a gesture to fiscal conservatives, Democrats agreed to an amendment offered by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) to cut the original proposal for $1.8 billion over five years by $100 million.
According to a 2004 EPA report, about 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater and storm water are released every year as combined sewer overflow. There are also between 23,000 and 75,000 incidents each year of sanitary sewer overflow, releasing between 3 billion and 10 billion gallons.
Combined sewer systems collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater in one pipe. Sanitary sewer systems carry only sewage from homes and industrial and commercial wastewater.
The EPA says there are roughly 772 communities serving some 40 million people with the older and more vulnerable combined sewer systems. Most are located in the Northeast and Great Lakes areas, with some in the Pacific Northwest.
Congress in 2002 and 2003 also approved federal grants under the Clean Water Act for sewer systems, but then failed to appropriate the money in annual spending bills.
The legislation is one of three water quality bills the House is taking up this week. On Thursday it plans to revisit a defunct Clean Water Act program providing $125 million in grants for alternative water source projects. The administration also opposes this bill, saving it costs too much and is unnecessary because of other available funding sources.
On Friday it is to act on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which would give out up to $20 billion in loans over five years for water pollution abatement projects.
>> NATIONAL PARKS
Ross D. Franklin/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Don Havatone, of the Hualapai tribe, watches the rollout of the Skywalk on the Hualapai Indian Reservation at Grand Canyon West, Ariz., on Wednesday. The walkway will open to the public on March 28.
See Grand Canyon from 4,000 ft. up
The Hualapai Indian Tribe plans to open the first ever cantilever-shaped glass walkway March 28. The Skywalk on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in Grand Canyon West, Ariz., 120 miles east of Las Vegas, will suspend more than 4,000 feet above the canyon's floor, and extend 70 feet from its rim.
Indian tribe opens glass walkway
Organizers expect the Skywalk
to become the main draw in a community of tribal attractions that includes a cowboy town, an Indian village, helicopter tours and Hummer rides through the outback. The tribe will charge $25 per person in addition to other entry fees.
Robert Bravo, Jr., left, adjusts the Hualapai Nation flag while other workers place the American flag on the Skywalk on the Hualapai National Reserve in Grand Canyon West, Aniz, on Wednesday.
Associated Press
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