Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
susan.mcavoy@usda.gov
Steve Thompson (202) 720-2446
sathomps@rdmail.rural.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, April 18, 2000--In celebration of Earth Day 2000, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced 11 new USDA-financed rural clean water initiatives. The waste-water projects, totaling $72.6 million, will significantly improve water quality across America and protect several designated wild and scenic rivers and other environmentally-sensitive bodies of water.
From the Bering Sea to the Chesapeake Bay and wild and scenic rivers of the South, these projects help protect some of our nation's most precious water resources, Glickman said. As we celebrate Earth Day, all Americans should recognize that proper disposal of waste-water is a vital health issue not only for humans, but for the environment and wildlife.
The projects include replacement of deteriorated water and sewer mains in Nome, Alaska, on the Bering Sea and a new sewage collection system in Shawnee Hills, Ohio, that will end the discharge of untreated effluent into the Scioto River, used as a water supply by the City of Columbus.
Also included is a $6 million project in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania to construct a centralized sewer system that will end the dumping of raw sewage into the Susquehanna River, which is designated a Heritage River system and empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
Other new USDA-financed projects include waste-water improvements in Gadsden, Arizona; Concordia, Louisiana; St. Peter, Minnesota; the Three Affiliated Tribes Reservation in North Dakota; Jefferson County, New York; Orangeburg County, South Carolina; Green River City, Utah; and Huttonsville, West Virginia.
Project list attached.
USDA EARTH DAY WASTEWATER PROJECTS
For additional information, contact Claiborne Crain at (202) 720-1255.
Alaska -- Nome. $2.6 million USDA grant/loan and $1.9 million from state of Alaska for continuation of a multi-phase wastewater treatment project, located on the Bering Sea.
Arizona -- Gadsden. community 20 miles south of Yuma near the Colorado River; $2.9 million grant/loan from USDA, leveraging $600,000 from other sources for a wastewater project.
Louisiana -- Concordia Sewer District Project. 15 miles north of Natchez, Miss.; $4.2 million USDA loan/grant combination, $900,00 from state of Louisiana. It protects a Wild and Scenic River that eventually drains into the Mississippi River.
Minnesota -- St. Peter Wastewater Project. 60 miles south of the Twin Cities. A $28 million treatment and collection project; USDA loan/grant is $3.8 million, with the rest coming from the State of Minn. Community located on the Minnesota River, a Wild and Scenic River.
North Dakota -- Three Affiliated Tribes Reservation. Wastewater project that protects historically significant Lake Sakakawea. Approximately $900,000 comes from USDA, the balance of $600,000 from the Indian Health Service.
New York Jefferson County Regional Wastewater Project. Serves parts of four small towns, and protects the Black River, which is the drinking water supply for the city of Watertown. $1.7 million from USDA, $1.7 million from the New York state.
Ohio -- Village of Shawnee Hills Wastewater Project. Just northwest of Columbus, Ohio, this project is funded with approximately $3 million loan/grant from USDA, leveraging $1.1 million from other sources. This sewage collection system, with treatment by the City of Columbus. It protects the Scioto River and the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir.
Pennsylvania -- Hazle Township Municipal Authority Wastewater Project. This project will protect the Susquehanna River Basin, which feeds the Chesapeake Bay. $6.7 total funding from USDA, $600,000 in other funds.
South Carolina Orangeburg County Wastewater Project. Protects the Edisto River, a Wild and Scenic River. $4.7 million invested from USDA.
Utah Town of Green River Wastewater Project. This project will protect the Green River with a $1 million grant from USDA and the rest from state and local sources.
West Virginia -- Huttonsville Public Service District sewer project. Protects the Tygart Valley River, a tributary of the Monongahela. $1.8 million from USDA, another $3.9 million from state and other sources.
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