Memorandum of
Disapproval of the Bill Amending the Clean Water Act
I
am withholding my approval of S. 1128, the ``Water Quality Act of 1986.''
On
Unfortunately,
this bill so far exceeds acceptable levels of intended budgetary commitments
that I must withhold my approval. Central to my proposal of last year was the
phasing out over a period of 4 years and the termination by 1990 of the huge
sewage treatment grant program. With the backlog of needed treatment plants
financed in major part by the Federal Government since 1972, it is now
necessary for the Federal Government to reduce its expenditures and complete
the transition from Federal to State and local responsibility. The
Environmental Protection Agency has already spent $44 billion to assist
municipalities in meeting a need that was estimated to be $18 billion when the
program was established in 1972. My proposal would have extended another $6
billion to finish the projects that had been started with Federal funds.
Notwithstanding
my recommendations, S. 1128 would authorize $18 billion, or triple the amount I
requested for that grant program, expand the allowable uses of Federal funds,
and continue Federal grants for another 9 years. By 1993, S. 1128 would
increase outlays by as much as $10 billion over the projections in my 1987
budget and would reverse important reforms enacted in 1981 that targeted funds
to the completion of construction of sewage treatment plants -- the program's
original and principal remaining purpose.
S.
1128 makes several programmatic changes that would improve the overall Clean
Water Act, including expanded Federal enforcement authorities and an easing of
the regulatory and financial burden on cities in dealing with stormwater discharges. We will work diligently with the
100th Congress to address these concerns. S. 1128 also would authorize some new
programs -- at a 5-year total of $500 million -- that my administration has
strongly opposed. Principal among them is the reinstatement of a Federal
financial assistance program to pay for local plans to control diffuse sources
of pollution. Over $500 million was spent on a similar program between 1973 and
1981, with little or no positive result. Restarting expensive planning grant
programs that have failed in the past is not justifiable.
For
these reasons, I cannot approve S. 1128. I must emphasize, however, that my
action will have no impact on the current conduct of water pollution control
programs under the Clean Water Act. All regulatory, enforcement, and permit
issuance activities will continue under permanent law. Although authorization
to appropriate for the sewage treatment grant program and other grant and
research programs expired between 1983 and 1985, funds have been appropriated
for them annually, and they are funded in the continuing resolution for 1987.
My
administration will work closely with the next Congress to pass acceptable
legislation. We will continue our commitment to improve and protect our
nation's water quality by working with the Congress to modify current law to
help cities handle stormwater discharge permits.
Ronald
Reagan
The
White House,