July 11, 2017
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Download PDF
Mr. Gil Rogers authored a guest column (“Column”) in the July 2nd edition of the Saporta Report titled:
Facing Federal Budget Cuts, Georgia Alone Cannot Bear the Brunt of Environmental Protection
Mr. Rogers is the Director of the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Georgia and Alabama Offices.
The column initially references the President’s proposed budget which would significantly reduce funding for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”).
Mr. Rogers notes that EPA Administrator Pruitt has stated that the role of environmental enforcement will be delegated to the states. The author expresses concern that pollution efforts would be effectively reduced because:
. . . state agency budgets and staff have already been slashed over the past decade (referencing the southern states).
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s (“EPD”) budget is stated to have become increasingly dependent on federal funding.
Mr. Rogers notes that EPD staff has decreased from 889 full-time employees in 209 to 677 in 2016. EPD is stated to receive more than 30 percent of its funding from the federal government for programs such as:
- Water Quality Monitoring
- Outreach
- Education
- Environmental Restoration Projects
Mr. Rogers argues that the proposed federal budget will cut grants to states by 45 percent at the same time it is reducing EPA’s budget by 24 percent. Specific figures cited include:
- State categorical grants reduced from 1.07 billion to 597 million
- Elimination of a rural water and wastewater program (although the Clean Water State Revolving Fund/Drinking Water State Revolving Funds are increased by 4 million)
A copy of the column can be found here.
The Between the Lines blog is made available by Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. and the law firm publisher. The blog site is for educational purposes only, as well as to give general information and a general understanding of the law. This blog is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Use of this blog site does not create an attorney client relationship between you and Mitchell Williams or the blog site publisher. The Between the Lines blog site should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.