FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            
Oct. 5, 2007
Contact: Abigail McDonough
202-225-6511                                 
                                                

NESBITT PARK - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) recently passed by Congress includes authorization for $20 million to correct sewer outfalls that currently release untreated sewage into the Susquehanna River during heavy rain or snowfall.

"This bill provides an important step to restoring the quality of the Susquehanna River to the state that it once was when the Native Americans inhabited Wyoming Valley.  Now that we have flood protection from the $200 million levee project and $25 million in riverfront improvements being undertaken by the Luzerne County Commissioners, we are transforming the river from a threat to an asset," stated Congressman Kanjorski.
 
Section 219 of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act, authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to spend up to $20 million on sewer projects in Luzerne County.  The funds are to rectify the most significant sources of combined sewage overflows (CSOs) which cause the discharge of untreated sewage into the Susquehanna River approximately 37 times per year during heavy rainfalls.  The federal government would provide 75% funding, and the non-federal share would be 25%.

Combined sewer overflows occur when sewers that are designed to collect rainwater and sewage in the same pipeline overflow during times of heavy rain or snow.  Normally, wastewater goes to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority for treatment, but when the volume exceeds what the pipes can hold, they overflow.  This occurs about 37 times each year in Luzerne County. 

"This provision would not have been accepted without the support of my colleague, Congressman Chris Carney. He understands the importance of cleaning up the Susquehanna River for the benefit of his constituents on the west side and mine on the east side of the River. He is a great partner in dealing with issues of importance to Northeastern Pennsylvania," Congressman Kanjorski said.

"Cleaning up the Susquehanna River has been a top priority," said Congressman Carney. "As a Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I fought to include Luzerne County in the Water Resources Development Act. Congressman Kanjorski has been an effective partner, both in protecting the Susquehanna River and moving this bill through Congress."

The WRDA bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 381 to 40, and it passed in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 81 to 12.  While the President is considering vetoing the legislation, it is likely that Congress can garner enough votes to override it.