§300h–8 State Ground Water Protection Grants

Summary

The Administrator may give grants to States to create and run programs that protect the State’s groundwater. Within 1 year after August 6, 1996, and every year after, the Administrator must publish guidance on how States can apply and what the programs should include. Grants go to approved State applications and are sized based on how much groundwater the State has and how likely the funds will lead to lasting protection. The Administrator can also fund innovative prevention programs. Each approved State must receive at least 1% of the funds available that year. Grants cannot be used to clean up contaminated groundwater. Each grant can cover up to 50% of eligible program costs for the one-year period after the grant is given; the State must pay at least the other 50%. The Administrator must evaluate these State programs and report to Congress on groundwater quality and program results within 3 years after August 6, 1996, and every 3 years after that. Congress authorized $15,000,000 for each fiscal year 1997 through 2003 to carry out these grants.