Natural Resources Committee Home

June 15, 2007

Dear Chairwoman Feinstein, Senator Craig, Chairman Obey, and Representative Lewis:

On behalf of the nation's governors, we urge Congress to support federal-state programs that assist states in implementing the environmental programs delegated to them by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In particular, the governors request Congress adequately fund assistance grants to help states conduct core environmental programs that protect public health and our nation's air, land, and water resources. We also urge Congress to support infrastructure assistance to help local governments with construction of critical drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities, and other cleanup actions.

Several programs are of particular concern. For example, governors believe that wastewater and drinking water funding capitalization grants should be maintained at adequate levels to help states and local governments continue these very successful and cost-effective programs. The needs for water infrastructure are enormous, and any reductions in the Clean Water and Drinking Water programs will greatly reduce the ability of states to maintain or upgrade their water infrastructure. We urge you to fund the Clean Water State Resolving Loan Fund at 2004 levels of $1.39 billion, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund at $1 billion.

Similarly, State and Local Air Quality Management grants provide resources to state and local air pollution control agencies to carry out certain sections of the Clean Air Act. States are responsible for implementing the Clean Air Interstate Rule, 8-hour ozone standards, and fine particle standards. To enable states to meet the numerous requirements required by these regulations in the coming fiscal year, we request that Congress appropriate $266 million in grants for state and local air pollution control agencies within the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account.

Finally, the Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002 has successfully accelerated the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites across the nation. Unfortunately, the success of the program has been hindered by inadequate funding. For example, EPA has been able to fund only about one-third of the applications it receives for brownfield grants each year. Full funding of the program ($250 million) is needed to enable more properties to be assessed, remediated, and redeveloped, which in turn would create jobs, generate additional tax revenues, and stimulate neighborhood revitalization.

States are active and dedicated partners in achieving the goals of the nation's environmental laws; however, adequate federal resources are required for states to fulfill the responsibilities delegated to them by EPA. Congress has an opportunity to work with states to protect the environment and our natural resources. We look forward to working with you as the Appropriations Committee and Congress move forward in their consideration of the FY 08 Interior Appropriations legislation.

Sincerely,