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RE: Construction Grants Program for Wastewater Infrastructure
Dear Congressman «LastName»:
Massive funding gaps are jeopardizing New York’s hard-won water quality gains of the past thirty years. The wastewater and water infrastructure needs of New York State are an ever-increasing burden on local taxpayers. The Association of Towns of the State of New York (AOTSNY), the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), The New York Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM) and the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) are very concerned about the protection of our environment and the economic impact on local communities in New York. We seek your support for an initiative that promises to address both these concerns.
The Association of Towns of the State of New York was established in 1933 to help towns obtain greater economy and efficiency. The Association serves town governments by providing advocacy in Albany, monitoring legislation and regulatory action, lobbying and presenting initiatives solely on behalf of the towns. The New York Water Environment Association is a 2,100 member organization of water and wastewater professionals dedicated to protecting and enhancing the waters of New York. It is a member association of the international Water Environment Federation. The New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials is an agency for the cities and villages of New York with the goals of promoting efficient municipal government and supports legislation beneficial to municipal affairs and opposes any legislation harmful to cities and villages and their residents. The New York State Association of Counties represents the interests of more than 4,000 county officials and county employees who deliver essential services to the public.
Wastewater infrastructure built in the 1970’s and 1980’s with 87 1/2 percent federal and state grants are approaching their design and useful lives and are in need of upgrading and major improvements. In addition, funding is needed to assist in construction of new infrastructure to meet the needs of communities living with failing septic systems. Increased funding is also needed to meet more stringent national and state requirements such as stormwater controls and permitting. Similarly, our drinking water infrastructure is in need of upgrading to meet the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements for treatment and filtration. A recent report by the Water Infrastructure Network entitled "Clean Safe Water for the 21st Century," dated April 2000, which can be found at
http://www.wef.org/PublicInfo/Newsroom/PressReleaseArchives/2000/041200.jhtml provides more of a background on this topic for a national perspective.NYSAC, NYCOM, NYWEA and AOTSNY believe that implementation of these recommendations will significantly help close the funding gap for the unmet needs for clean water infrastructure in New York. The end result is enhances ability to protect our most precious natural resource, water. We urge you to introduce legislation necessary to implement a new construction grants program and reaffirm New York State’s history of supporting environmental protection.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us. We are seeking feedback on the importance of this issue and ideas on how we may be of assistance to you.
Sincerely,
| Adam J. Zabinski, PE President, NYWEA Phone: (914) 637-3072 E-mail: ajz3@westchestergov.com G. Jeffrey Haber |
Edward C. Farrell Executive Director, NYCOM Phone: (518) 463-1185 E-mail: donna@nycom.org Robert R. Gregory |
cc: Governor Pataki, Commissioner Cahill, DEC, Environmental Facilities Corporation, Chairman, NY Democratic Party, Chairman, NY Republican Party, Municipal Officials
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