United States penate
WASHINGTON, DC 2,0510
June 9, 2017
The Honorable Scott Pruitt Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N W Washington, D.C. 20460
Dear Administrator Pruitt:
We urge you to use your discretion to award technical assistance funding under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Protection/National Priorities provision of the fiscal year 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act to those organizations authorized under the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act (PL 114-98).
In 2011, Congress provided the EPA discretion to allocate technical assistance funding under the Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Acts. Since that time, funding for effective, on site technical assistance, which helps small and rural communities in our states comply with federal EPA regulations and water operator certification requirements while also allowing for the effective operation of drinking water and wastewater supplies, has been reduced significantly.
On-site technical assistance can equip small and rural communities with the resources they need to provide safe water to residents and businesses while also meeting drinking water standards. We believe this assistance is most effective when it comes from a trusted individual who is willing to travel directly to the community, has technical expertise to remedy the specific issue with existing treatment and infrastructure, and can be available on-site at any time.
In December 2015, Congress unanimously passed and the president signed the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act, which directs the EPA to provide on-site technical assistance in a manner that is most effective to small and rural communities. By following the authorities under the Act, we are hopeful on-site technical assistance can be reestablished in our states and ultimately make the program more effective and easier for the EPA to implement.
Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA
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Thank you for your assistance and attention to the needs of small and rural communities, and we look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Mike t .n/l United States Senator
Tammyhiekworih Umied/Sates Senator
Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA
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ED 002061 00108031-00002