(b) Cooperate with the department in administering the clean water fund program, the safe drinking water loan program and the land recycling loan program.
Wis. Stat. s. 281.61(2): “[DNR] and the department of administration shall administer a program to provide financial assistance to local governmental units and to the private owners of community water systems that serve local governmental units for projects for the planning, designing, construction or modification of public water systems, if the projects will facilitate compliance with national primary drinking water regulations under 42 USC 300g-1 or otherwise significantly further the health protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 USC 300f to 300j-26.” 5. Estimate of amount of time that state employees will spend developing the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
212 hours
6. List with description of all entities that may be affected by the proposed rule:
- State of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin municipalities and municipal water and sewer utilities, and any other recipients eligible in the future
- Engineers, attorneys, bond counsels, and accountants employed by Wisconsin municipalities and other eligible recipients
- Wisconsin municipal taxpayers and customers of water and wastewater utilities
- Users of Wisconsin waterways
- Investors in Environmental Improvement Fund revenue bonds
7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
The federal Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act govern the EIF. “Clean Water Act” is the common name of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The U.S. EPA also has regulations that apply to the EIF. Because the EIF receives grants from EPA, it is also subject to an annual grant agreement with EPA.
The EPA annually reviews Wisconsin’s EIF and regularly determines that the EIF complies with federal law and regulations. When possible, DOA and DNR implement changed federal requirements in the annual IUP or financial assistance agreements entered into with recipients of financial assistance.
8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses):
The EIF is a major source of funding for municipal water and wastewater infrastructure in Wisconsin. Recipients of financial assistance incur significant costs to comply with federal requirements of the EIF, such as mandates to certify that projects use iron and steel from U.S. producers. DOA does not expect this proposed rulemaking to affect compliance costs for recipients.
Updated rules may allow the EIF to make more loans, which would promote economic activity.
Several Wisconsin engineering firms, accounting firms, financial advisor firms, and law firms currently employ experts who understand EIF processes and policies. If this rulemaking can simplify state requirements pertaining to the EIF, more firms, potentially including small businesses, may find it feasible to work on EIF-funded projects.
Contact Person:
Andrew Behm, office 608-266-0739, work from home 920-277-6298
David Erdman, office 608-267-0374
