“EARMARK DECLARATION” published by the Congressional Record on Dec. 1, 2009

Volume 155, No. 176 covering the 1st Session of the 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“EARMARK DECLARATION” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2857-E2858 on Dec. 1, 2009.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

EARMARK DECLARATION

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HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

of louisiana

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the Interior Appropriations Act, 2010, H.R. 2996.

Congressman Rodney Alexander

H.R. 2996

STAG

City of Monroe, Louisiana

Monroe Wastewater Treatment System--$500,000. Portions of the wastewater collection system were constructed in the 1920s and 1930s and are in severe state of deterioration. Even with maintenance, breaks have developed along the pipeline and in manholes. These breaks allow excess rainwater and groundwater to enter the collection system adding extreme pressure to an overtaxed system resulting in Sanitary Sewer Overflows, SSOs, which are violations of the Clean Water Act. The City has entered into a Consent Decree with the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, that requires the City to pay a fine of

$235,000 and implement of a costly sewer rehabilitation program to eliminate SSOs within 11.5 years. The cost of this program is estimated to cost over $150 million. To date the City of Monroe has spent $110 million toward this goal, implementing many of the projects needed to upgrade its wastewater treatment system as mandated by the Consent Decree. This effort has put a severe financial strain on the City's resources limiting chances to fuel economic growth in areas of the City. Funding assistance from the federal government is imperative if the City is to meet the remaining requirements of the EPA Consent Decree, in particular, rehabilitation and general I/I abatement work, SSO corrective action.

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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 176