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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2009
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Contact: Zach Goldberg
202-225-5801 (office) |
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HOLT, LAUTENBERG, MENENDEZ, SECURE $500,000 TO
IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN MONMOUTH COUNTY
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(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez and U.S. Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12) today announced they secured $500,000 in federal funding for a Monmouth County wastewater and water quality improvement project. The Senators and Holt requested the funding earlier this year after County officials identified it as a priority, and it was included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior Funding Bill, which Congress passed Thursday night and which the President has since signed into law.
The funding will allow Monmouth County and municipalities in the county to comply with the requirements of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Stormwater Regulation (N.J.A.C. 7:14A). As of February 29, 2009, state law no longer allows the discharge of pollutants from vehicle and equipment washing into the municipal separate storm sewer system or groundwater. The funding will be used for the construction of a service vehicle and equipment facility that will contain all wash waters and direct them to the sanitary sewer system for treatment. Monmouth County has a significant vehicle and equipment fleet that requires continuous maintenance to extend its usable life and preserve taxpayer funds. The project will allow for the maintenance of this fleet in compliance with state law and protect the quality of groundwater and surface waters throughout Monmouth County.
“Knowing the importance of this wastewater and water quality improvement project for Monmouth County, I was pleased to work with Senators Lautenberg and Menendez to secure this funding,” Holt said. “I will continue to work with local leaders to identify areas where the federal government can provide a return investment on taxpayer dollars.”
“Investing in this important project will improve water quality in Monmouth County,” stated Sen. Lautenberg. “This funding will stop dangerous pollutants from being discharged into our water and provide a higher standard for public health. I applaud Monmouth County for prioritizing water quality and am proud to have helped secure this funding.”
Senator Menendez said, “This is an investment in public health and in our lands. By ensuring that wastewater in Monmouth County is properly treated, we can help keep our families, wildlife and environment healthy for generations to come.”
"Monmouth County has been at the forefront of municipal assistance shared services programs, and one of those areas involves the construction of truck wash facilities," Monmouth County Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow said. "By offering this unique shared service, municipalities will be able to comply with new state stormwater regulations - at a nominal fee per wash - without incurring the high cost of building these facilities themselves. Eventually, Monmouth County will build four truck washes around the county." Director McMorrow thanks Congressman Holt, and Senators Menendez and Lautenberg for their assistance in obtaining this funding for Monmouth County.
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