3. ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS VPHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED 



As this proposal is aimed at upgrading State water quality enhancement pro- 

 grams, we can foresee no unavoidable adverse environment effects growing out of 

 this proposal. 



4. ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED BILL 



One obvious alternative to the provision of Federal funds for specific State 

 program elements would be the provision of additional Federal funds for general 

 program development and implementation. The option we have chosen, to direct 

 Federal expenditures toward specific State program achievements, is designed to 

 encourage the development of those aspects of State programs which will make the 

 greatest contribution toward water quality protection and enhancement, thereby 

 making the most of both Federal and State investments. 



5. RELATION BETWEEN LOCAL SHORT-TERM USES AND LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY OF 



THE ENVIRONMENT 



In both the short and long term, this proposal is expected to protect and enhance* 

 the environment. 



6. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 



No natural resources will be committed pursuant to this proposal. The financial 

 resources authorized for this program will be justified by the beneficial environ- 

 mental effects to be derived from the State program grants. 



Proposed Amendments to Section 8 of the Federal Water Pollution Control 

 Act, as Amended, Relating to Waste Treatment Facility Construction 



(Prepared in Compliance With Section 102(2) (C) of the National Environmental 

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



1. nature of proposed bill 



The proposal, in the nature of an amendment to section 8 of the Federal Water 

 Pollution Control Act, as amended, seeks to assist States and municipalities in 

 financing the construction of needed waste treatment facilities necessary to 

 comply with water quality requirements of the President's environmental pro- 

 gram. Specifically, the proposal would authorize appropriations for grants for 

 treatment works construction in an aggregate amount of $6 billion over a period 

 of three fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1972. In addition, the bill would 

 revise the allocation formula to allocate funds to States on the basis of relative 

 population, availability of State matching funds, outstanding reimbursables, and 

 water pollution control needs. 



The bill would direct the Administrator to encourage grantees to achieve in- 

 stitutional and financial capability to maintain, expand and replace necessary 

 treatment works, and would provide for an increased Federal share of project 

 costs if the grantee has made provision to achieve such institutional and financial 

 capability. The bill would authorize grants for the costs of treating industrial 

 wastes only if the grantee makes provision for full cost recovery of construction 

 costs allowable to industrial wastes. 



2. environmental impact of proposed bill 



This proposal is prompted by the over-riding need among States and their 

 political subdivisions for additional financial assistance for needed sewage treat- 

 ment plant construction. Accelerated plant construction will enable States to 

 meet water quality standards established for their waterways for a variety of 

 beneficial water uses as well as to comply with national planning and treatment 

 requirements. It is the provision of these treatment works which is at the founda- 

 tion of the Federal effort to maintain a high level of water quality nationwide. 

 The environmental impact on water is expected to be entirely beneficial. 



