Local Water Protection Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1331.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1331 is a bipartisan bill to reauthorize appropriations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's nonpoint source management grants program.

I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast), for introducing this bill with me. I also thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano) for her support in moving this legislation through committee.

The Clean Water Act was enacted in 1972 to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters. In 1987, the Clean Water Act was amended to add section 319 to create a nonregulatory program through which EPA administers annual grants to help States develop and implement their own programs for managing nonpoint sources of water pollution.

Under EPA's 319 program, States retain the primary role for addressing nonpoint source water pollution caused by snowmelt and rainfall runoff, which they do largely through monetary means and financial incentives. However, according to the Government Accountability Office, the extent of available incentives has declined in recent years, as grants to States under the section 319 program have declined by more than 30 percent from a high of about $240 million annually in fiscal year 2004.

The section 319 program was initially authorized at $70 million annually in fiscal year 1988, and its authorization level steadily increased to $130 million in fiscal year 1991, the last year of authorization for this program.

This bill, H.R. 1331, would reauthorize $200 million annually for the 319 program's grant fund, which gives local and State governments the flexibility to make conservation practices improvements aimed at decreasing water pollutants through partnerships within their local communities.

In Minnesota, we take the quality of our 10,000 lakes very seriously, and we all want to preserve the quality of these important waterways for generations to come. We also know that local communities are the experts on the most effective and innovative ways to keep these waterways clean.

That is why this bill is so important. It gives local and State governments authority to create best voluntary conservation programs that work for their communities.

Here are just a few of the examples of section 319 grants in action from Minnesota's Second Congressional District.

The Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District saved native plants and the shoreline protecting McMahon Lake. The grant also significantly helped reduce pollution throughout the county by planting filter strips, building control grade structures, lining waterways with grass, and planting native grass.

Dakota County created and implemented projects to validate, demonstrate, and refine best management practices for nitrogen fertilizer for corn production that will lower nitrate levels in Dakota County's groundwater and surface water.

The Goodhue County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently working to reduce pollutants in the Mississippi River-Lake Pepin watershed by 20 percent.

In Wabasha County, the Whitewater Watershed Project worked with communities to increase awareness of water contamination and provided low-interest loans to improve residential infrastructure and help farmers come into compliance with pollution standards.

The South Washington Watershed District integrated a storm water reuse plan that captures roadway storm water in two existing ponds. This integrates into two golf course irrigation systems and provides new water amenities with the public golf courses. This is estimated to reduce potable water usage by more than 40 million gallons annually.

Finally, in Rice County, the Cannon River Watershed Partnership is working to engage local, regional, and State programs and organizations to develop a way for their local community to engage in pollution reduction in a meaningful and long-term way.

Again, I thank the gentleman from Florida for introducing this bipartisan bill with me. This legislation passed out of committee with bipartisan support. It is a good bill, and I am pleased to support it. I urge my colleagues to do so as well.

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