For Immediate Release:

Thursday, July 25, 2002

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- Senator Murray announced today that she has secured $2.68 million in the fiscal year 2003 Veterans Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for community and environmental initiatives in Eastern Washington.

"I am proud to have secured this important funding to help improve our communities in Eastern Washington," said Murray. "Our region's economy is facing tough times and we must do all that we can to retain and attract new business and jobs. One way of doing this is to ensure the quality and reliability of our water systems. This funding supports water improvement projects and will go a long way to improving the quality of life and increasing economic prosperity for our region."

EASTERN WASHINGTON

Richland Water Main Replacement $580,000

These funds will help the City to replace leaking water pipes that the federal government first constructed in the 1940s and 1950s. The intended life of the water mains was originally only 10 years. As recently as 1995, the City was losing up to 40 percent of its water because of the faulty pipes. The City of Richland has already invested more than $20 million over the past two decades to replace 54 miles of pipe. This grant will help the City to replace the remaining 16 miles of water mains, which it hopes to do by 2005.

Transitions Women's Drop In Center, Spokane $250,000

Transitions' Women's Drop In Center will use the funding to purchase a new building for the Women's Drop In Center. The Center provides critical services to more than 250 homeless and low-income women each month.

Columbia Basin Groundwater Management Area Project $200,000

The Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area Project develops and implements locally driven solutions to address ground water quality in areas of documented nitrate concern in Franklin, Grant and Adams County.

Klickitat County PUD New Sewage Treatment Plant $1,650,000

The requested funds will allow the PUD to replace a 46 year old treatment plant while maintaining affordable sewer rates for town residents, protecting the Klickitat Wild and Scenic River, and providing a vital part of the infrastructure needed for economic development. Without this funding, residents' sewer rates will triple to approximately $95 per month.

STATEWIDE

Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission $700,000

The Washington State Tribes and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Coordinated Water Quality Program, an EPA/Tribal partnership, has provided a forum for continuous and meaningful communication between tribes, state and federal agencies. It has generated successful state/federal partnerships to improve water quality and has helped fulfill the federal government's trust obligation to tribes.

Rural Development Council, Rural Community Assessment Program $100,000

The Washington State Rural Development Council will use the funding to help rural communities assess strengths and weaknesses, develop strategies to meet their economic, community, and human service goals, and link them to resources to build on and implement local plans.