The Department of Environmental Quality is extending its deadline for pre-applications for municipalities that wish to get onto the fund’s priority list as part of the federal stimulus package. To be eligible for this funding, applications must be received by 3 p.m. on March 25. As part of a federal economic stimulus package, the Department of Environmental Quality expects to receive nearly $43 million to distribute as part of its Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
To be eligible, projects should be “shovel-ready.” Shovel-ready projects are those that have completed Environmental Review Process or are eligible for a Categorical Exclusion. For a summary of the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund stimulus package, go to www.deq.louisiana.gov. Another requirement is for the department to have awarded contracts to the recipients within one year of the Feb. 17 the bill signing.
DEQ strongly recommends that projects incorporate green infrastructure, water or energy-efficiency improvements or other innovative environmental activities.
“We’re excited that the state’s revolving loan fund is part of this stimulus package,” said DEQ Secretary Harold Leggett. “It’s important to upgrade or build new wastewater treatment plants for the protection of human health and the environment. I also see this as an opportunity to create jobs in Louisiana because it will take a diverse workforce to complete the work.”
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program typically offers low-interest loans to communities for the construction or upgrade of wastewater treatment works and other water quality improvement projects. There are three types of projects that may receive assistance through the revolving loan program: Construction of publicly owned treatment works; implementation of a non-point source pollution management program; and the development and implementation of an estuary improvement program. The standard Program requirements also apply to anyone wishing to receive funding through the Stimulus Bill.
Projects for construction of community sewerage systems must be publicly owned. The applicant must be a public entity with jurisdiction over collection, treatment and disposal of sanitary sewage within its service area. An applicant for a non-point source pollution management and estuary improvement project may be any individual, organization, or public entity.
DEQ has been in contact with all mayors, parish presidents, state representatives, senators and consultant engineering firms regarding the state revolving loan program.
To apply for funding, go to http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/loanfund, or call 225-219-3956.