Last week, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., backed U.S. Rep. Angie Craig’s, D-Minn., “Local Water Protection Act.”
Craig introduced the bill, which U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., are backing in the upper chamber, on Thursday.
“The bipartisan effort to reduce harmful water pollution increases grant funding for state and local governments to decrease water pollutants, including addressing toxic agricultural runoff, septic to sewer conversions, legacy pollutants, impacts from dams, effects of channelization of water bodies and other forms of pollution,” Mast’s office noted.
The bill would add $200 million annually to the Section 319 Grant Program run by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offering states funds for controlling water pollution.
“Minnesota’s lakes and waterways are critical not only for tourism and transporting agricultural goods, but also to the natural beauty of our state that we’re so proud of,” Craig said at the end of last week. “I appreciate Representative Mast’s continued partnership on the bipartisan Local Water Protection Act to help us renew and increase the funding to keep our waters clean and safe for generations to come.”
“Nobody should lack access to clean and safe water, but sadly, that’s the reality for far too many communities in our country. This bipartisan bill will increase federal support to address pollution from agricultural runoff, assist with septic to sewer conversions and prevent other forms of pollution,” Mast said. “Not another day should be allowed to go by where the federal government allows Americans to be poisoned through the water they drink, bathe or swim in.”
Mast stressed that the grants have helped the Sunshine State.
“The Section 319 Grant Program has funded hundreds of programs in Florida alone since its creation in 1987, including McCarty Ranch in St. Lucie County, Willoughby Creek in Martin County and the C-43 Reservoir in Hendry County,” Mast’s office noted.
Craig’s bill was sent to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which referred it to the U.S. House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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