THE PRESIDENT'S ECONOMIC PLAN:

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

• The President proposes to consolidate the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that make loans for municipal wastewater and water treatment construction, giving States more flexibility in meeting local priorities. He would reduce funding over time to $1.5 billion a year as States gain access, as a permanent source, to the repayments of previous loans.
  • The Senate would eliminate these programs by 1998; the House would provide less funding than the President.

• The President proposes to increase funding by $265 million a year by 2002 for the Environmental Protection Agency's operating program, the backbone of our efforts to protect the environment. This increase comes after $150 million in savings due to streamlining and decreased EPA oversight of State delegated programs. The operating program increases address global climate change, promote development and export of environmental technology, and protect sensitive ecosystems.
  • Republicans would eliminate the program to develop environmental technologies that improve the environment at lower cost while opening new export markets, and terminate funding for programs that protect water quality and preserve habitat for ducks and fish.

• The President proposes increases each year for National Park operations and rehabilitation in order to maintain parks and their facilities.
  • Republicans would cut national park construction by half, and park operations by 10 percent, the latter of which would strain the National Park Service's ability to keep parks open and up to standards.

• The President proposes to phase-down spending on Federal land acquisitions to $100 million a year, focusing on high-priority projects and the expanded use of land exchanges.
  • Republicans would terminate Federal land acquisitions.