Liz Friedlander (202) 225-1564
Liz.Friedlander@mail.house.gov

James Ryder (202) 225-0020
James.Ryder@mail.house.gov

Today, Congressman Mike McIntyre, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops, and Foreign Agriculture, held a hearing to review efforts to improve rural water infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Service (RUS) administers programs that provide loans, grants, loan guarantees and technical assistance for drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste and storm drainage facilities in rural communities with populations under 10,000 people.

"The majority of community water systems in America serve small populations, which makes their long-term health vital to those of us who represent rural constituencies," said Subcommittee Chairman McIntyre.  "They must meet the same water treatment requirements as larger systems, yet some lack the resources to finance such improvements.  USDA's Rural Utilities Service and other agencies help fill that void. At today's hearing we heard how RUS is meeting the demands for clean water and how they are assisting communities like those on our second panel, who know the importance of clean water systems to the growth of their communities."

"With 16 federal agencies involved in administering more than 88 programs that target rural development, it is important to maintain a close watch on how the Administration implements these programs and safeguards taxpayer dollars.  It is important we remember above all, that these programs are not social programs or welfare programs, but a tool to enable small communities to comply with costly federal mandates," said Subcommittee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway.

Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.

Witness List:

Panel I

Mr. Jonathan Adelstein, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, U.S  Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.

Panel II

Ms. Rhonda Locklear, Water and Wastewater Director, Town of Pembroke, Pembroke, North Carolina, on behalf of National Rural Water Association

Ms. Christina Fierros, Chief Operations Officer, Midwest Assistance Program, Savannah, Missouri, on behalf of Rural Community Assistance Partnership 

Mr. J. Michael Norton, Executive Director, Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, Harrison, Arkansas, on behalf of the National Association of Development Organizations and the National Association of Counties

Mr. Troy Larson, Executive Director, Lewis and Clark Regional Water System, Sioux Falls, South Dakota . Mr. Paul Kahl, Deputy Director of Public Works, Allegany County, Cumberland, Maryland
 

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