[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3534-S3536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAPO:
  S. 707. A bill to provide grants for special environmental assistance 
for the regulation of communities and habitat (``SEARCH grants'') to 
small communities; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
authorize a national environmental grants program for small communities 
called Project SEARCH.
  I am particularly excited about the proposal because with each 
passing month, I have been hearing from new interested partners in 
helping with the legislation or have seen similar concepts advanced by 
others. Because of our mutual interest in helping small communities 
respond to environmental problems, I invite my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this measure.
  The national Project SEARCH, Special Environmental Assistance for the 
Regulation of Communities and Habitat, concept is based on a pilot 
program that operated with great success in Idaho in 1999 and 2000. In 
short, the bill establishes a simplified application process for 
communities with populations under 2,500 to receive assistance grants 
for meeting a broad array of federal, state, or local environmental 
regulations. Grants would be available for initial feasibility studies, 
to address unanticipated costs arising during the course of a project, 
or when a community has been turned down or underfunded by traditional 
sources. The program would require no match from the recipients.
  Some of the major highlights of the program are: A simplified 
application process--no special grants coordinators required; No 
unsolicited bureaucratic intrusions into the decision-making process; 
Communities must first have attempted to receive funds from traditional 
sources; It is open to studies or projects involving any environmental 
regulation; Applications are reviewed and approved by citizens panel of 
volunteers; The panel chooses the number of recipients and size of 
grants; The panel consists of volunteers representing all regions of 
the state; and No local match is required to receive the SEARCH funds.
  Over the past several years, it has become increasing apparent that 
small communities are having problems complying with environmental 
rules and regulations due primarily to lack of funding, not a 
willingness to do so. They, like all of us, want clean water and air 
and a healthy natural environment. Sometimes, they simply cannot 
shoulder the financial burden with their limited resources.
  In addition, small communities wishing to pursue unique collaborative 
efforts might be discouraged by grant administrators who prefer 
conformity. Some run into unexpected costs during a project and have 
borrowed and bonded to the maximum. Others are in critical habitat 
locations and any project may have additional costs, which may not be 
recognized by traditional financial sources. Still others just need 
help for the initial environmental feasibility study so they can 
identify the most effective path forward.
  With these needs in mind, in 1998, I was able to secure $1.3 million 
through the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, for a grant program 
for Idaho's small communities. Idaho's program does not replace other 
funding sources, but serves as a final resort when all other means have 
been exhausted.
  The application process was simplified so that any small town mayor, 
county commissioner, sewer district chairman, or community leader could 
manage it without hiring a professional grant writer. An independent 
citizens committee with statewide representation was established to 
make the selections and get the funds on the ground as quickly as 
possible. No bureaucratic or political intrusions were permitted.
  Although the EPA subsequently insisted that grants be limited to 
water and wastewater projects, forty-four communities in Idaho 
ultimately applied, not including two that failed to meet the 
eligibility requirements. Ultimately, twenty-one communities were 
awarded grants in several categories, and ranged in size from $9,000 to 
$319,000. Communities serving Native Americans and migrants, as well as 
several innovative collaborative efforts were included in the 
successful applicants. The communities that were not selected are being 
given assistance in exploring other funding sources and other advice.

[[Page S3536]]

  The response and feedback from all participants has been 
overwhelmingly positive. Environmental officials from the state and EPA 
who witnessed the process have stated that the process worked well and 
was able to accomplish much on a volunteer basis. There was even 
extraordinary appreciation from other funding agencies because some 
communities they were not able to reach were provided funds for 
feasibility studies. The only negative comments were from those who 
wished that the EPA had not limited the program to water and wastewater 
projects.
  The conclusion of all participants was that Project SEARCH is a 
program worthy of being expanded nationally. So many small communities 
in so many states can benefit from a program that assists underserved 
and often overlooked communities. This legislation provides us the 
opportunity to help small communities throughout the United States.
  I have been encouraged by statements from regulatory officials at the 
federal, state, and local level that have identified small communities 
as particularly in need of assistance in this area. Environmental 
organizations have also made favorable remarks about the importance of 
assisting small communities with the compliance costs of environmental 
regulations. Finally, I should also note that organizations 
representing small towns and rural areas recognize this long overlooked 
problem.
  I invite my colleague to take this opportunity to assist small 
communities in each of their states. Although the grant program 
provided for in this bill is not large in comparison to other things 
the federal government funds, these resources could be put to good and 
effective use, as Idaho has proven. Moreover, I will remind everyone 
that nowhere does this measure contemplate a change in environmental 
regulations or standards. This is simply about relief for small 
communities that would not otherwise be able to serve the public 
interest or the environment.
                                 ______