§1258 Pollution control in the Great Lakes

Summary

The Administrator, working with other federal agencies, may make agreements with States, local governments, interstate agencies, or other public bodies to run demonstration projects anywhere in the Great Lakes watersheds. These projects must test and show practical, affordable ways to remove pollutants, stop new pollution from entering the lakes, and make preliminary plans for cleanup. The nonfederal partners must pay at least 25% of the actual project costs. Their share can be money, land, property, or services that the Administrator values. Congress may provide $20,000,000 for these projects, and that money remains available until spent. Because Lake Erie has serious pollution problems, the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, must design a demonstration wastewater management program to help restore the lake. The program and the Chief’s recommendations for design and financing must be sent to Congress for approval before detailed engineering begins. The program must be developed with the Administrator, other federal agencies, and the States, and must offer regional choices for wastewater treatment (including advanced treatment and land-disposal options like aerated spray irrigation), ways to handle solid waste and sludge, and measures to control point sources, area sources (for example acid-mine drainage and runoff), and in-place sources such as polluted sediments and dredgings. Congress may provide $5,000,000 for this work, which also remains available until spent.