II 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1709 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 15, 2005 Mr. Inhofe (for himself, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Vitter, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Warner, Mr. Carper, Mrs. Boxer, Ms. Landrieu, and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To provide favorable treatment for certain projects in response to Hurricane Katrina, with respect to revolving loans under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Gulf Coast Emergency Water Infrastructure Assistance Act.

2.

Treatment of certain loans

(a)

Definition of eligible project

In this section, the term eligible project means a project— (1)to repair or rebuild a publicly-owned treatment works (as defined in section 212 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1292)) in an area affected by Hurricane Katrina or a related condition; or (2)that is a water quality project directly related to relief efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina or a related condition, as determined by the State in which the project is located. (b)

Additional subsidization

For the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, a State may provide additional subsidization to an eligible project that receives funds through a revolving loan under section 603 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383), including— (1)forgiveness of the principal of the revolving loan; or (2)a zero-percent interest rate on the revolving loan. (c)

Extended terms

For the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, a State may extend the term of a revolving loan under section 603 of that Act (33 U.S.C. 1383) for an eligible project described in subsection (b), if the extended term— (1)terminates not later than the date that is 30 years after the date of completion of the project that is the subject of the loan; and (2)does not exceed the expected design life of the project.

3.

Intended use plans

(a)

Definition of State

In this section, the term State means— (1)the State of Alabama; (2)the State of Louisiana; and (3)the State of Mississippi. (b)

Projects by States

For the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, a State may provide assistance to a public water system that is not included on the intended use plan of the State under section 1452(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12(b)), if the project— (1)involves damage caused by Hurricane Katrina or a related condition; and (2)is in accordance with section 1452(b)(3)(A) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12(b)(3)(A)).

4.

Testing of privately-owned drinking water wells

On receipt of a request from a homeowner, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may conduct a test of a drinking water well owned or operated by the homeowner that is, or may be, contaminated as a result of Hurricane Katrina or a related condition.