Missouri Department Of Natural Resources Seeks Comments On Drinking Water Fund Project List

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking comments on the its draft plan outlining how it intends to use federal and state funds designated for improving drinking water infrastructure.

The department will hold a public meeting to discuss and take comments for the plan, known formally as the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lewis and Clark State Office Building, 1101 Riverside in Jefferson City.

Each year, the department prepares a plan describing how it intends to use federal and state funds for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program. The department uses this fund to make low-interest loans to drinking water systems to improve infrastructure, comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and protect public health. The interest rate on the available loan funds this year will be approximately 30 percent of the interest rate offered on a market rate loan.

The department anticipates approximately $71 million available this year for low-interest loans to drinking water systems.

The department is also soliciting comments on both the draft Priority Point Criteria and the draft Readiness to Proceed Criteria, which will be used to rank new applications received for 2013. Except for minor updates that do not affect the basic criteria, the department is proposing no changes to either of the criterion approved last year. The deadline for 2013 applications is tentatively set for Nov. 15, 2011.

The department will accept comment on these drafts until May 17. Comments can be submitted to the department's Water Protection Program by:

* Mail to the department's Water Protection Program, Attention Stephen Jones, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176.

* Email with the subject line "Intended Use Plan Comments" and direct to stephen.jones@dnr.mo.gov.

* Hand deliver to the receptionist at the Lewis and Clark State Office Building, 1101 Riverside, Jefferson City. Mark comments with attention to Stephen Jones, Water Protection Program.

A copy of the draft drinking water intended use plan and draft criteria can be found on the department's website at dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/srf/drinkingwater-assistance.htm. You may also obtain a copy by written request to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Protection Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, or by calling the Financial Assistance Center at 573-751-1192.

For more information, visit dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/srf.

SOURCE: The Missouri Department of Natural Resources