UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 OFFICIAL, BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 0 ^i^Environmental News Niles (202) 755-0344 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1976 EPA AMENDS FUNDING FORMULA FOR AREAWIDE PLANNING GRANTS The Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has established regulations in final form, amending the allocation formula governing grants to designated State and local areawide water quality management agencies. The regulations, which amend the State and Local Assistance grant rules, cover funding for developing and operating a continuing waste treatment planning program under Section 208 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972. Establishment of the final regulations is in response to a June 2 District Court decision ruling that unobligated funds of approximately $137 million be made available for Section 208 grants through September 1977. The new amendments are intended to make an equitable geographical distribution of funds, using a weighting of 85 percent based on net population and 15 percent on net land area. The Agency believes that the 75-25 percent formula used in distributing $53 million of the $216 million obligated to date would, if continued, distort the distribution of funds between urban and rural pollution control problems. Thus, according to the regulations, some States with large land areas and predominantly non-urban pollution problems (more) Return this sheet if you do NOT wish to receive this material ~ , or if change of address is needed ~ (indicate change, including tip code). EpA FORM 1510-1 (REV. 8-72) POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA-335 267 ------- -2- would be likely to benefit excessively from continued appli- cation of the 75-25 formula. The amendments, published in the October 4, 1976 Federal Register, also determine that decisions relating to 208 grants and discretion for distribution of allocated funds are the responsibility of EPA Regional Offices. Guidance of administra- tive and management details of fund distribution will be pro- vided the regional offices as a separate document. # # # Note to Editors: A table showing regional allocation of the $137 million is attached. R-267 ------- ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO EPA REGIONAL OFFICES FOR GRANTS TO STATE/LOCAL WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES SHOWING CURRENT AND ADJUSTED FORMULAS. Region Current Formula 85%-15% Formula I $ 6,385,756 $ 6,918,054 II 11,947,643 13,258,265 III 10,282,801 11,092,256 IV 22,709,315 23,924,616 V 17,511,064 18,348,084 VI 19,406,206 18,912,012 VII 10,565,580 10,379,290 VIII 6,682,198 5,127,354 IX 19,368,214 19,904,765 X 11,959,793 8,953,874 total $136,818,570 $136,818,376 R-267 ------- |