Today, Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10) issued the following statement after House passage of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2017 (H.R. 5538), legislation that provides over $2 billion for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, provides loan forgiveness to Flint for its drinking water infrastructure upgrades, and fully funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $300 million:
"The tragedy in Flint is a grave reminder of the adverse impact aging underground infrastructure can have on our quality of life if ignored. It impacts the water we drink and the waterways that support our economy and livelihood, which means we must be vigilant in our efforts to maintain and upgrade our underground infrastructure.
"Today, the House passed legislation that prioritizes restoring safe drinking water in Flint by providing $207 million in new funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and loan relief. Under this legislation, the State of Michigan would be able to forgive Flint's $21 million in loan debt, freeing up millions of dollars that can be put towards additional recovery and prevention efforts. It also provides $1 billion to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $50 million in new funding for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program, programs which help communities modernize their aging underground water infrastructure and mitigate combined sewer overflows and storm water runoff like the ones that have caused so many beach closures throughout my district.
"Furthermore, this legislation fully funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a program aimed at restoring our magnificent Great Lakes, at $300 million. Just last year, the initiative awarded $20 million in grants to the Clinton River Area of Concern, which, over the course of many years, has been decimated by combined sewer overflows, storm water runoff, and river bank erosion. It is critical programs like this that accelerate the rejuvenation of our waterways and help ensure they can provide clean water to their surrounding communities."
Highlights of the Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2017 (H.R. 5538):
Provides $1 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and $1.07 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which includes a $207 million increase in current funding;
Provides $50 million for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program;
Provides $109.7 million for state grants, which includes a $7.7 million increase in current funding, to improve operations and oversight of drinking water systems;
Fully funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) at $300 million.