EPA's FY 2011 budget and the Intermountain West

U.S. EPA's proposed FY 2011 budget was released yesteday, and includes good news and bad news for those working to protect and restore rivers in the Intermountain West. The good news? There are some significant investments in water issues that can make a big difference to our work. The bad news? Other regions sure did a better job than we did at getting a targeted piece of the pie.

All that follows is a very cursory review of the enormous pile of information included in the FY 2011 budget proposals. Follow this link look over the entire 102-page U.S. EPA FY 2011 Budget in Brief. The points below focus on discussion under Goal 2, which is the "Clean and Safe Water" goal. Other goals are clearly relevant as well (for example, Goal 4 is "Healthy Communities and Ecosystems") so please take this as a snapshot.

In a nutshell, U.S.EPA requested $4.58 billion dollars for FY 2011 under goal 2. This is $309,319,000 less than the FY 2010 enacted budget. They are requesting a small increase under the heading "enhance science and research" and small decreases under the two remaining headings -- "protect human health" and "protect water quality." Small is clearly a relative term.

Some Good News

Revolving Loan Funds continue to get attention.
The Budget in Brief states: "In FY 2011, EPA continues its commitment to upgrading drinking water and wastewater infrastructure with a substantial combined investment of $3.3 billion for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs." The Clean Water SRF, which funds sewage treatment plant construction and other wastewater needs, is addressed in more detail: "...EPA is continuing our CWSRF commitment by requesting $2.0 billion in FY 2011."

Green infrastructure and watershed approaches continue to be featured.
The Budget in Brief states: "The National Water Program will continue to place emphasis on sustainable infrastructure, watershed stewardship, watershed-based approaches, water efficiencies, and best practices through Environmental Management Systems. EPA will specifically
focus on green infrastructure, banking for wetlands conservation, and trading among point sources and non-point sources for water quality upgrades." (Editorial note: trading may or may not belong under "good news" here.)

Monitoring needs are highlighted.
The Budget in Brief states: "The Agency’s FY 2011 request continues the monitoring initiative begun in 2005 to strengthen the nationwide monitoring network and complete the baseline water quality assessment of the nation’s waters."

Urban waters may receive some much needed attention.
The Budget in Brief includes a section called "imperiled urban waters" which states in part: "As part of the Healthy Communities Initiative, EPA will launch the Community Water Priorities program to address issues related to urban waters. Through Federal technical support and grants to the states, the program will advance water quality improvements in urban watersheds through targeted implementation of core water programs."

States and Tribes may get some attention too.
Throughout the Budget in Brief section on water, U.S. EPA talks about work with states and tribes. In at least one place, the funding ramifications get more specific: "In FY 2011, EPA will continue to collaborate with states and tribes to make progress toward EPA’s clean water goals. EPA’s FY 2011 request includes a total of $485.1 million in categorical grants for clean water programs."

Later, the Budget in Brief points out: "In FY 2011, EPA requests an additional $45 million in the Section 106 grants. The new funding will strengthen the base state, interstate and tribal programs, address emerging water quality issues such as nutrients and new regulatory requirements, and support expanded water monitoring and enforcement efforts."

Research needs are directed to issues you may care about.
For example, the Budget in Brief states: "In FY 2011, drinking water research will be expanded to address potential water supply consequences associated with hydraulic fracturing....Green infrastructure research will be expanded in FY 2011 to assess, develop, and compile scientifically rigorous tools and models that will be used by EPA’s Office of Water, states, and municipalities."

Less good news

If we put on our stubbornly western hat, the FY 2011 budget request has one aspect that is troubling -- no focus on the Intermountain West. Too self-interested? Well yes, but it is hard not to notice that the EPA's press release about their budget request features the following text:

"... provides $63 million for efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and $17 million for the Mississippi River Basin to respond to non-point source control recommendations of the Nutrients Innovation Task Group and implement recommendations outlined in the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Action Plan."

The budget also reportedly includes $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Budget in Brief discusses a focus on Appalachian coal mining permit issues.

Of course, these are all worthy regions and issues, but the silence on western issues makes me think those of us who love these mountain/desert rivers may not be doing quite enough to get their needs on the table.

PS Clean Water Network has a nice, brief summary of budget items and includes a pie chart demonstrating the real emphasis placed on water in this budget proposal.