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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Federal
Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)
Wastewater Treatment Works Security
Act of 2002
Transportation Enhancement Act-21
(TEA-21)
Water Resources Development
Act (H.R. 5428)
The Water Resources Development Act is typically reauthorized by
Congress every two years to fund Army Corps of Engineers projects.
Although historically the primary focus of WRDA
has been the construction and operation of locks and dams and other
major river infrastructure, recent versions of the Act have included
water-quality related projects, such as sewer construction, stream
restoration and environmental infrastructure projects. The Nine
Mile Run Aquatic Restoration is a good example.
Like most municipalities in Allegheny County, the Nine Mile Run
watershed communities have wet weather wastewater and sewer overflow
problems, as well aging sewer infrastructure that allow leakage
in and out of the system. These problems have resulted in the release
of raw sewage to Nine Mile Run during wet weather and the loss of
stream flow into the sewers during dry weather. The City of Pittsburgh,
in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is implementing
an ambitious plan to restore the Nine Mile Run stream and surrounding
valley. The goal of the project is to improve the health and quality
of the aquatic ecosystem of Nine Mile Run, and to create public
open space that is safe and healthy. This project is sufficiently
funded through its completion.
Another local project—Sheraden Park—will demonstrate the
feasibility and public benefit of stream removal and restoration.
ALCOSAN has identified 12 locations within Allegheny County where
streams and creeks flow directly into municipal combined sewer systems,
and contribute significantly to the sewer overflow problem in the
region. Sheraden Park was chosen as the first location for a stream
removal demonstration.
3 Rivers Wet Weather is working with the Pittsburgh District of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and ALCOSAN to investigate options
for reconfiguring the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority combined
sewer in Sheraden Park to remove the stream from the sewer and reduce
combined sewage discharges. Appropriated 2002 funding for this project
is being used to create the environmental infrastructure on this
project. Additional funding has been authorized and will be requested
for appropriation in subsequent years to complete the project over
the next five years.*
*Receiving federal funds is a two-step process that involves both
authorization and appropriation. First, Congress passes "authorizing"
legislation that allows the government to give money to programs,
such as 3 Rivers. In a second step, Congress "appropriates"
the funds, which is the actual assignment of monies. It should be
noted that authorization of funds does not guarantee that Congress
will subsequently appropriate those funds.
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Wastewater Treatment
Works Security Act of 2002 (H.R. 5169, S. 3037)
The Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act of 2002 (H.R.5169) authorizes
$200 million for the EPA to establish a grant program to municipal
sewage treatment plants for security measures. The grants could
be used to conduct vulnerability assessments and to implement security
"enhancements" such as fencing, detection systems, and
lighting. A 25% local share would be required to obtain a grant,
and the maximum grant could not exceed $150,000.
Transportation Equity
Act of the 21st Century (H.R. 3694, S. 1917)
In 1991, 10 percent of all Surface Transportation Program funds
were earmarked for Transportation Enhancement Activities. The goal
of the program is to develop "livable communities" by
selecting projects that preserve the historic culture of the transportation
system and/or enhance the operation of the system for its users.
The 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21)
continued the Transportation Enhancement Program and expanded the
eligible use of funds to include 12 categories of enhancements.
In addition to enhancements such as, pedestrian and bicycle facilities,
historic highway programs and control/removal of outdoor advertising,
TEA-21 also includes "environmental mitigation to address water
pollution due to highway runoff" as a transportation enhancement.
Locally, six municipalities (through ALCOSAN) have proposed two
projects that fall under this transportation enhancement category.
Both projects—the Fried & Reineman Stream Restoration Project
affecting Millvale, Reserve and the City of Pittsburgh, and the
Sikes Run Project affecting Sharpsburg, Shaler and O'Hara—would
eliminate runoff from State Route 28 as a cause of combined sewer
overflows into the Allegheny River.
Historically, streams across Pennsylvania were culverted (covered)
to accommodate roadway and railroad construction. The culverted
streams became a part of the combined sewers and stormwater drainage
from the highways was directed into these municipal sewers. The
result has been not only a loss of streams, but an increase in combined
sewer overflows during wet weather. These proposed projects under
TEA-21 would separate the streams from the combined sewers and highway
runoff would flow into the open streams, rather than into the municipal
sewer system where they contribute to combined sewer overflows.
For more information on federal legislation, visit the Thomas website
at http://thomas.loc.gov/
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