(The bills and departmental reports follow :) 



[Executive Com T n unieation No. 434] 



Environmental Protection Agency, 



Washington, D.C., March 13, 1971. 

 Hon. Cabl B. Albert, 

 Speaker, House of Representatives, 

 Washington, B.C. 



Dear Mr. Speaker: In accordance w^ith Section 102(2) (C) of the National 

 Environmental Policy Act of 1969, enclosed herewith are the environmental im- 

 pact statements for the four legislative proposals of the Environmental Pro- 

 tection Agency. 



This proposed legislation is part of the President's environmental program as 

 announced in his environmental message to the Congress of February 8, 1971, 

 and was transmitted to you on Februai-y 10, 1971. We understand that those legis- 

 lative proposals to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 

 were referred to the Committee on Public Works and that the proposed "Marine 

 Protection Act of 1971" was referred to the Committee on Merchant Marine and 

 Fisheries. 



Sincerely yours, 



William D. Rtjckelshaxts, 



Administrator. 

 Enclosures. Environmental impact statements for EPA legislative proposals 



Proposed Amendments to Section of the Federal Watek Pollution Control 

 Act, as Amended, Relating to State and Interstate Program Grants (Pre- 

 pared IN Compliance With Section 102(2) (C) of the National Environ- 

 mental Policy Act of 1969 (PL 91-190), February 8, 1971) 



1. nature of the proposed bill 



This proposal, in the nature of an amendment to Section 7 of the Federal Water 

 Pollution Control Act, as amended, would provide the EPA Administrator with 

 flexibility in funding signficant pollution control projects in the State program 

 grant context, would provide for bonuses for State achievement of specific pro- 

 gram improvements, and would extend and increase the authorization, for the 

 State program grant authority through Fiscal Year 1975. 



Key provisions of this proposal would authorize increased appropriations for 

 an additional four years on a sliding scale from $15 million for FY 1972 to $30 

 million for FY 1975. Ten million dollars of these sums would continue to be avail- 

 able for the basic State and interstate programs. The proposal would also add five 

 grant bonus categories for an improved program consisting of five components : 

 (1) a permit system; (2) a sewage treatment facilities program; (3) training 

 and development of personnel; (4) State recruitment and personnel system; and 

 (5) a planning capability. 



2. environmental impact of proposed bill 



Over the past years, we have identified a need for the EPA to increase its support 

 to the States and interstate agencies to enable them to carry out and accelerate 

 their own programs of water quality standards enforcement and implementation. 

 This need becomes even more acute with the implementation of the recently 

 published construction grant regulations, the accelerated construction of waste 

 treatment facilities, and the Refuse Act permit program. The proposed strengthen- 

 ing of the State program grant authority would have a decidedly beneficial impact 

 upon water quality. 



