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Introduction of the Environmental Infrastructure Assistance Act

Floor Speech

Date: April 10, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Infrastructure

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Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, in its most recent annual infrastructure report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gives our nation's drinking water and wastewater systems a grade of D and D- respectively, meaning they are in fair to poor condition. For the state of Arizona, drinking water and wastewater systems rank slightly better, C- and C respectively.

Over the next 20 years, Arizona will have $1.93 billion in drinking water and $6.77 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs. Unfortunately, small and rural communities across Arizona often lack the financial resources to do the necessary repairs and replacement of their aging infrastructure. To help address these infrastructure challenges, I am introducing the Environmental Infrastructure Assistance Act to provide federal assistance through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the communities in Arizona.

The bill would provide financial assistance to public entities, in the form of design and construction for water-related environmental infrastructure, and resource protection and development projects. Projects could include: wastewater treatment and related facilities; water supply, storage, treatment and related facilities; environmental restoration; and surface water resource protection and development. Additionally, funds could be used for technical assistance for water planning and access to water resources.

The Environmental Infrastructure Assistance Act would provide another resource for communities to use to meet their water infrastructure needs, and I am pleased to have the support of the Rural Water Association of Arizona and the Arizona Water Association for this legislation.

It is my hope that as we focus on infrastructure this Congress that we make sure investments are not only made in our roads, bridges and airports, but that we also address water infrastructure needs of communities in Arizona and across the country.

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