News

State environmental officials have scheduled a public hearing for March 17 to gather public comments on the draft plan for distribution of money from the state’s application for nearly $71 million for wastewater projects from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The state has applied for a federal capitalization grant of $70,729,065. Approximately 950 projects with requests totaling more than $2 billion are included on the draft project list.

The draft plan distributes funds equally between loans and cost-free subsidies. If sufficient applications are received, at least 20 percent of the monies awarded must be spent on green projects – those that include wastewater reuse, stormwater management, water efficiency and energy generation elements. Priority is given to projects that can proceed quickly, already have any required permits and have additional funding committed, if needed.

The Division of Water Quality has scheduled a public hearing for March 17 at 2 p.m. in the State Library Auditorium, 109 Jones St., Raleigh. The draft documents for consideration are the Intended Use Plan, the state project list and the Integrated Priority Rating System. Copies of the draft documents being considered are available on the DWQ Web site at: http://www.nccgl.net/Stimulus.html. Registration for those wishing to speak will begin at 1:30 p.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.  For those who wish to submit comments prior to the hearing, written comments may be mailed to the address below.

For further information write ARRA Information, Construction Grants and Loans Section, Division of Water Quality, 1633 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1633 or call (919) 715- 6226.