State Drinking Water and Sewer Funding Plans Now on Web

• by New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation

ALBANY, NY (06/29/2007)(readMedia)-- The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Health (DOH) announced today that the Draft 2008 Intended Use Plans (IUPs) for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) are now posted on the Internet to provide for broader public access.

Each year, the State is required to issue a draft IUP in June and a final IUP in September that identifies intended uses of all Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF program funds, and describes how those uses support the overall goals of the program.

The draft IUPs include annual lists of projects that could receive low-interest financing between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008, the next IUP financing period. Final IUPs will be issued in September. Projects must be included in the IUPs to receive SRF financing.

The Clean Water SRF, administered by EFC and DEC, offers short-term interest-free and long-term reduced interest rate financing for eligible water pollution prevention projects. The program has provided a total of $12.3 billion in Clean Water SRF financing, and an estimated $460.6 million in projects will be financed in 2008.

The Drinking Water SRF, administered by EFC and DOH, provides a financial incentive for public water systems to undertake needed infrastructure improvements. The Drinking Water SRF offers below market rate loans and some grants, and has provided nearly $1.9 billion in loans and grants to communities around the State. It is estimated that $377 million will be available in 2008.

A public meeting and hearing will be held to review the Draft 2008 Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF IUPs on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the William K. Sanford Town Library in Albany, New York (Exit 4 off I-87, 1/4 mile east on Albany Shaker Road), 518-458-9274. Pre-registration is not required. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for disabled persons, if requested in advance. The comment period for the draft IUPs ends August 10, 2007.

Municipalities, not-for-profit organizations or public water supply systems interested in financing projects that are not currently listed in the Draft IUPs should submit the appropriate IUP project listing information by Friday, August 10, 2007. For more information call EFC at 800-882-9721 for Clean Water SRF projects and the State Health Department at 800-458-1158 for Drinking Water SRF projects.

The Clean Water SRF Draft IUP is available on the EFC website at www.nysefc.org; click on “2008 Draft IUP” on the home page. To access the Drinking Water SRF Draft IUP, visit the DOH website at http://www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/water/drinking/water.htm.

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