CRAPO ANNOUNCES WATER IMPROVEMENTS

Washington, DC - Aging water and waste water systems in Idaho will get needed improvements with federal grants and loan dollars, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced today. Crapo, who is the Ranking Member on the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit, says a combination of loans and grants will benefit water infrastructure in Emmett, Bonners Ferry and Shoshone. Crapo's subcommittee has jurisdiction over rural development issues."Federal grants and loans direct significant dollars to efforts like community wastewater infrastructure programs, conservation programs to help private property owners comply with environmental mandates, and local programs that help keep our children and families safe," Crapo said. "Many of Idaho's water and wastewater systems were constructed years ago and are in critical need of upgrades. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Program is making many of those upgrades possible.""I'm delighted that USDA Rural Development can assist Bonners Ferry, Shoshone and Emmett with their critical infrastructure," said Mike Field, Director of USDA Rural Development for Idaho. "Our utility programs help rural communities face the challenges of participating in today's economy and maintaining and improving their quality of life." There are four water and wastewater loans and grants being announced by Crapo:â?¢Emmett - $700,000 grant for sewer improvements, including lift station, piping, and disinfection.â?¢Bonners Ferry - $675,000 grant and $1,000,000 loan to complete water system improvements. The new money is in addition to funding announced in 2005.â?¢Shoshone - $2,475,000 loan to upgrade sewer system with equipment and lift station improvements.