The public has the opportunity starting today to comment on the draft plan for distribution of money from the state’s allocation of nearly $66 million for public water supply projects from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
State environmental health officials have announced a comment period beginning today and running through April 7 to gather public comments on the draft plan for distribution of money from the state’s allocation for public water supply infrastructure projects. A public hearing has been scheduled for April 3 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 1a224 at 2728 Capital Blvd. in Raleigh.
The state has applied for a federal capitalization grant of $65,625,000. Approximately 500 projects with requests totaling nearly $900 million are included on the draft project list.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund monies from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will be awarded as loans, but the loans will be structured so that half of the principal will be “forgiven” and the other half of the loan will be repaid at zero percent interest with up to a 20-year payback. The principle forgiveness means that half of each loan will not need to be repaid. The other half of the money will need to be repaid at a zero percent interest rate. If a project's actual cost is lower than originally projected or the scope of the project is reduced, the same 50-50 split will be maintained.
If sufficient applications are received, at least 20 percent of the monies awarded must be spent on green projects – those that include environmentally innovative projects and energy and water efficiency. Priority is given to projects that can proceed quickly, already have any required permits and have additional funding committed, if needed.
The draft documents for consideration are the intended use plan and comprehensive project priority list. These documents, as well as further information on ARRA as it relates to drinking water, can be found online at: http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/pws/recovery.htm .
Registration for those wishing to speak at the April 3 public hearing will begin at 9 a.m. Oral comments may be limited to three minutes in order to allow all who wish to speak that opportunity. A typewritten copy of all comments should be submitted to the hearing officers. The hearing record will close at the end of the hearing.
Please mail written comments by April 7 to Sid Harrell, Public Water Supply Section/Division of Environmental Health, 1634 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1634 or call (919) 733-2321.
For further information on ARRA as it relates to environmental projects, please visit the Web site of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on www.enr.state.nc.us and click on “NCDENR American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” under the “Current Events” section. For information on all types of recovery projects, please visit the state Office of Economic Recovery and Investment online at www.ncrecovery.gov .
