WSP11961 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

U02794 present and potential sources of drinking water, and "dirty" aquifers (see WSW #502). According to Ms. Mlay, state classification of aquifers would not be rm.ndatory; rather the system is to help EPA establish protection and clean up priorities. Under the proposed classification system,' EPA would coordinate authority under existing statutes to provide ground water protection. For instance special aquifers, including those ,AUch are a sole source of drinking water or support a unique ecosystem, would be protected by prohibiting hazardous waste sites in the area under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) , Priority would also be given for cleanup efforts above such aquifers ill1der Superfund. Similar priority would be given to present and potential drinking water sources. The use, disposal and storage of threatening chemicals would also be controlled using the Toxic Substance Control Act. In view of the rm.gnitude of the ground water pollution problem and the limited availability of remedial resources, "dirty" aquifers, those already contaminated and not used for drinking water, would most likely receive little regulation and cleanup. Wt1ile sane question "writing off" such aquifers, Governor Bruce Babbitt told the WSWCIABA GrounG \vate:- Workshop last ,~eek that ~rotecting all ground water sources from pollution does not !Mke sense. "It is not practical, economical, or necessary." A new ground water protection office would be established under the Assistant Secre- tary for Water to administer the new strategy and greater emphasis would be placed on presently unregulated sources of serious groill1d water pollution, specifically under- ground storage tanks for petroleum products and chemicals (see WSW #499). WATER RESOORCES Financing/Tax-Exerrpt Bond Limitation Act On Nov. 17, 1983, by a slim 10-vote !Mrgin, the House refused to approve a rule for consideration of H.R. 4170, a major tax reform bill. The National Governors' Association actively opposed restrictions in the bill on the use of industrial de- velopment bonds (IDBs). The Western States Water Council also opposes specific provisions (see WSW #504). Title VII, the Tax-Exempt Bond Limitation Act of 1983, would impose a $150 per capita limit on state and local government use of IDBs, This cumulative ceiling would be reduced to $100 after 1986. Over half the states current- ly would exceed the $150 limit. IDBs are now used by state and local governments to finance water and wastewater treatment, solid and hazardous waste disposal facili- ties, resource recovery plants, and power plant air pc llution scrubbers. The bill also prohibits the use of IDBs to acquire land. At present, 25-50'lo of current trans- actions involve land acquisition. It also reduces arbitrage profit limitations from the current 1 11L1o to 1 1/8%. Arbitrage profits come from investing any unused portion of bond proceeds until needed for their intended purpose. Many state and local agencies credit arbitrage profits towards administrative costs of issuing bonds. Another restriction in the bill would deny tax-exempt status for any project obligation where the federal government directly or indirectly guarantees the pay- ment of principal or interest, or a significant portion of any proceeds. are invested in federally insured deposits or accounts. During the first half of 1983, the IRS esti!Mtes $1. 8B in tax-exempt bonds were issued for pollution control, including the above activities, and the estimated 1983 total could be approxi!Mtely $4B. H.R. 4170 will be pending when Congress returns on January 23, but it !MY already have had an effect on the bond market as its proposed effective date, if enacted, would be January 1, 1984. Bonds issued thereafter would have to conform with its provisions or lose their tax-exempt status. (NGA - The Resource 12/83 and CR November 16, 1983 P. H10071-72) '- POSITION OPE:NJ:N; The Upper Colorado River Corrmission has a Chief Engineer opening. The position requires a B.S. or M.S. Degree in Engineering plus six or more years (after B.S.) ex- perience in water resource engineering, hydrology and !Mnagement. The salary range i.s $25,000 - $35,000 per year, plus benefits. Resurnes should be sent to 355 South 400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111; for more information call (801) 531-1150. Western States Water, January 20, 1984