UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA-335 A Environmental News Deister (202) 755-0344 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1974 TRAIN URGES SPEED-UP IN THE AWARDING OF FEDERAL GRANTS TO BUILD WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS Russell E. Train, Administrator of the Environmental Pro- tection Agency, told the opening of a meeting between Federal and State officials in Washington, D.C., that Federal assistance to cities must be expedited for the construction of waste water treatment plants. The Administrator said he had called the special meeting, held January 9-10, to iron out the remaining differences over the requirements of the water law so that the Federal funds can be disbursed as quickly and effectively as possible. The special Task Force is composed of representatives from Michigan, Mississippi, California, Maryland, New York and Wyoming, from four regional offices of EPA and from EPA headquarters. Train said, "We have a responsibility to maintain the integrity of the statute and the requirements it imposes, but at the same time, to see to it that the funds are made available as expeditiously as possible." (more) Return this sheet if you do NOT wish to receive this material ~, or if change of address is needed ~ (indicate change, including 2ip code). EPA FORM 1510-1 (REV. *72) R-331 ------- -2- EPA is now in the final stages of preparing construction grants as well as other regulations that will assist the States in carrying out the requirements of the water law. Other EPA officials taking part in the meeting included Deputy Administrator John R. Quarles, Chairman; Alvin L. Aim, Assistant Administrator for Planning and Management/ and Robert Sansom, Assistant Administrator for Air and Water Programs. Representing EPA regional offices at the meetings were Donald DuBois, deputy regional administrator, Denver; Clifford Smith, deputy regional administrator, Boston; Francis T. Mayo, regional administrator, Chicago; and James L. Agee, regional administrator, Seattle. State officials taking part in the discussions were Ralph W. Purdy, executive secretary, Michigan Water Resources Commission; Gene Seebald, New York Department of Environmental Conservation; James B. Coulter, Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Glen Wood, Jr., Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission; Arthur E. Williamson, Director of Sanitary Engineering Services of Wyoming, and William Dendy, California Water Resources Control Board. # # # R-331 ------- |