Release No. 0183.98
USDA INVESTS $130 MILLION IN CLEAN WATER IMPROVEMENTS TO MARK EARTH DAY
WASHINGTON, April 22, 1998--U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today observed Earth Day by announcing investments of nearly $130 million in wastewater and safe drinking water projects in 59 rural communities in 37 states.
Speaking to reporters on Earth Day, Glickman said, "These projects will improve the health conditions, living environment and economic opportunities of more than 84,000 people in economically distressed areas of rural America. Inadequate wastewater disposal is still a major source of water pollution in rural areas. Corroded pipes, outdated waste treatment facilities and sub-standard septic systems all take a heavy toll on the quality of our nation's drinking water, aquatic habitat and recreational waters."
"The clean water projects we are announcing today and the hundreds we fund every year are essential to the continued environmental improvement and economic growth of our small rural communities in every region of the nation," Glickman said. "Most of our partners in these ventures are economically distressed local governments, which need federal investments as they work hard to help themselves prosper."
The majority of the projects involve wastewater system improvements. However, five projects will deliver safe drinking water to rural residents who struggle with poor water quality, availability or dependability. These local efforts will extend the Clinton Administration's Water 2000 initiative, which is helping to deliver safe drinking water to rural people in greatest need.
The USDA funding includes $75.3 million in loans and $54.3 million in grants. The USDA funds are complemented by an additional $52 million from other public and private sources, raising total funding for the projects to more than $181 million. Since 1993 USDA has assisted more than 5,400 communities with $6.5 billion in loans and grants for wastewater and safe drinking water system improvements.
For more information on USDA and Rural Development Programs, check out our web site at: www.rurdev.usda.gov.
Editor's Note: To receive Secretary Glickman's comments on USDA's Radio Newsline, dial after 5 p.m. today, (202) 488-8358. For television stations, USDA's satellite feed is available Thursday, April 23, from 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET at this satellite address: Galaxy 9 (C-Band), Transponder 1-Vertical, Downlink frequency 3720 MHZ, Audio 6.2/6.8. Trouble number: 703-642-8585.
Following is a list of the projects being funded:
EARTH DAY PROJECTS -- 1998
Name of USDA FUNDS OTHER PROJECT
State Project *Type LOAN GRANT FUNDS TOTALS
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AK Nome S $ $2,109,150 $2,019,000 $4,128,150
AR Gillett S 297,700 227,300 - 525,000
DE Sussex County S 6,910,700 - 1,727,675 8,638,375
FL Immokalee S 4,725,200 1,520,000 - 6,245,200
GA Walthourville S 1,751,500 2,647,000 545,800 4,944,300
ID Priest River S 1,140,400 780,000 500,000 2,420,400
Fernwood W/S Dist W 550,000 188,000 500,000 1,238,000
IA Gravity S 176,200 504,000 218,000 898,200
Halbur S 388,000 179,500 215,000 782,500
Craig S 95,000 273,000 123,000 491,000
Appanoose Co. S 110,000 140,000 400,000 650,000
IL Blandinsville S 1,500,000 1,400,000 1,131,000 4,031,000
EJ Water #12 S 1,878,740 500,000 105,600 2,484,340
Hidalgo S 63,000 189,000 400,000 652,000
IN Tri Lakes S 4,804,000 2,489,000 450,000 7,743,000
KY Mountain Water S 426,000 600,000 5,503,000 6,529,000
Powell S 300,000 500,000 750,000 1,550,000
KS Oswego S 1,100,000 900,000 - 2,000,000
Fort Scott S 2,290,000 - 304,260 2,594,260
LA Logansport (LA&TX) W 2,500,000 - - 2,500,000
Town of Glenmora S 1,074,000 1,162,000 - 2,236,000
Town of Oberlin S 1,687,000 2,215,800 - 3,902,800
ME Mars Hill Utility S 200,000 200,000 1,043,000 1,443,000
Calais W 1,993,000 - - 1,993,000
New Sharon S 107,400 88,700 - 196,100
MI Minden City S 560,000 1,400,000 - 1,960,000
Wakefield S 4,525,000 3,674,900 - 8,199,900
MN Sargeant S - 480,000 720,000 1,200,000
Frost S 681,000 1,424,000 530,000 2,635,000
MO Oak Grove S 500,000 149,000 606,000 1,255,000
Parnell S 140,000 283,000 69,000 492,000
MS Rome Water S 195,800 509,300 450,000 1,155,100
NC Holly Ridge S 1,080,000 1,335,000 - 2,415,000
NE Big Springs S 543,000 182,000 250,000 975,000
NH Ashland W/S 971,100 927,200 951,000 2,849,300
NJ Union Beach S 2,014,910 500,000 - 2,514,910
NM Santa Rosa S 256,300 768,700 - 1,025,000
NV Silver Springs S 4,000,000 700,000 5,300,000 10,000,000
NY Champion S 75,000 1,900,000 887,500 2,862,500
OH Senecaville S 864,000 576,000 1,466,000 2,906,000
Burbank W 850,000 850,000 1,500,000 3,200,000
OK Whitefield Auth S 140,000 785,000 150,000 1,075,000
OR Umatilla S 5,000,000 1,000,000 5,400,000 11,400,000
PA City of Kinzua S 4,250,000 2,267,000 1,020,000 7,537,000
Mid Cameron S 1,300,000 - 801,000 2,101,000
SC Branchville S 354,400 679,000 46,800 1,080,200
Fairfax S 340,800 1,022,200 - 1,363,000
TN City of Spencer S 1,700,000 1,680,000 3,072,118 6,452,118
Wartburg S 70,000 208,500 382,500 661,000
Webb Creek S 994,000 400,000 - 1,394,000
Oneida S 2,135,000 3,965,000 - 6,100,000
TX E. Tawakoni S 650,000 504,500 - 1,154,500
Logansport (w/LA) W 500,000 - - 500,000
UT Hildale City S 1,903,000 600,000 1,900,250 4,403,250
VA Bland Co. S 832,650 2,800,000 3,352,250 6,984,900
VT Cabot S 588,500 773,400 1,192,952 2,554,852
WA Addy S 412,250 981,000 - 1,393,250
WV City of War S 500,000 1,850,000 5,350,000 7,700,000
WY Hulett W/S 343,500 296,700 714,000 1,354,200
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Totals $75,338,050 $54,283,850 $52,046,705 $181,668,605
Projects 59
States 37
* Note: W = Safe Drinking Water Project
S = Sanitary Sewer Project
Contacts:
Roger Salazar, (202) 720-4623
Dan Campbell, (202) 720-6483