James M. Jeffords: “Dear Senators Nickles and Conrad: As you prepare the fiscal year 2004 budget, we urge you to make clean water and…”

“Dear Senators Nickles and Conrad: As you prepare the fiscal year 2004 budget, we urge you to make clean water and drinking water infrastructure a top environmental and health priority. Specifically, we ask that you provide for at least a $3.5 billion increase above the fiscal year 2004 request of $1.7 billion for the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Revolving Funds (SRF) to help states and local communities meet water quality standards and restore the health and safety of our nation's waters. Despite important progress over the last three decades, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that more than 40 percent of our nation's lakes, rivers, and streams are still too impaired for fishing or swimming. Discharges from aging and failing sewage systems, urban storm water and other sources continue to pose serious threats to our nation's waters, endangering not only public health, but also fishing and recreation industries.”