Regulacje i polityka gospodarcza · 29.10.1998

Final Guidelines for Implementation of the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set-Aside Program

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released Final Guidelines for the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants Tribal Set- Aside (DWIG TSA) program (EPA 816-R-98-020). The Tribal Set-Aside Program was established as a result of the reauthorized Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), signed by President Clinton on August 6, 1996. Section 1452 of the SDWA authorizes a Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (DWSRF) similar to a fund for wastewater treatment systems that has been in place under the Clean Water Act for several years. The SDWA also authorizes EPA to set aside up to 1\1/2\ percent of the amounts annually appropriated to carry out section 1452 for grants to Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. The SDWA directs EPA to use these funds for infrastructure improvements to public drinking water systems that serve Indian Tribes. EPA first received federal funds for section 1452 in its FY1997 Appropriation Bill. EPA received $1.275 billion in FY1997, and $725 million in FY1998 for the programs authorized by section 1452. Of these amounts, 1\1/2\ percent (the maximum allowed by law) has been set aside for the Tribal program--$19,125,000 in fiscal year 1997 and $10,875,000 in