FOUR The Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, March 2, 1978 Clean Water Act aimed at improving land management MORROW SWCD ANNUAL REPORT Authorized by the Clean Water Act of 1977, Public Law 95-217, which was signed by President Carter on Decem ber 28, 1977. P.L. 95-217 amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amend ments of 1972, P.L. 92-500 providing additional responsi bilities and authorities to improve the quality of the Nation's waters. Legislative History During June 1977 the Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works held field hearings on amendments to P.L. 92-500. Farm and envi ronmental organizations, soil conservation districts, State conservation agencies, and "208" planning agencies testi fied on the need for Federal assistance to control non-point source pollution. During later consideration of the Clean Water Act, Senator John C. Culver of Iowa introduced an amend ment to Section 208 of 92-500, entitled "Agricultural Cost Sharing", also called the "Rural Clean Water Pro gram". Authority Section 208 directs "the Secretary of Agriculture, with the concurrence of the Admi nistrator, Enviromental Pro tection Agency, and acting through the Soil Conservation Service and such other agen cies of the Department of Agriculture as the Secretary may designate. ..to establish and administer a program to enter into contracts of not less than five years nor more than ten years with owners and operators having control of rural land for the purpose of installing and maintaining measures incorporating best management practices to con trol non-point source pollution for improved water quality..." P.S. 95-217 authorizes $200 million for fiscal year 1979 and $400 million for fiscal year 1980 to be appropriated for carrying out the program. Actions To provide technical and financial help in rural areas that are implementing EPA approved water quality man agement plans under Section 208 of P.S. 92-500, USDA will take these steps: 1. Assist in developing plans, approved by local soil conservation districts, with land owners and operators for their farms, ranches, or other lands. 2. Help land owners and operators carry out the plans by providing techni cal assistance and by sharing the cost of plan ned measures to improve water quality. (Cost shar ing is limited to 50 per cent except in special cases determined by the Secre tary.) 3. Give priority to areas and sources that have the most significant effect upon water quality and, together with local soil conservation districts, de termine the priority of as- ....or the purpose of installing and maintaining measures incorporating best management practices to control non-point source pollution for im proved water quality sistance among individual land owners and operators to assure that the most critical water quality pro blems are addressed. 4. Enter into agreements with soil conservation dis tricts, State soil and water conservation agencies, or State water quality agen cies to administer all or part of the program. iESLE ins ess faMk ML Looking for the best is the American way. And we're trying hard to bring it to you with high returns and yields on your savings. KIND I MINIMUM MATURITY RATE AYIFLDL Passbook $5.00 $.25 5.39 Certificate $1,000 3 Months 5.75o 5.92o Certificate $1,000 I Year 6.50o 6.72 Certificate $1,000 2V2 Years 6.75o 6.98o Certificate $1,000 4 Years 7.50'p 7.79o Certificate $1,000 6 Years 7.75o 8.06o Certificate $100,000 30 Days Negotiable Note: An interest penalty is charged for early withdrawal from certificate accounts 0 mmmMU We also know there's more to a good return than rates. There's service. And attitude. And a progressive effort for the communities we share with you. That's our com mitment. It's been our way for over 44 years. Thank you for helping us make it work. Aw a: - - - - ij w AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF PENDLETON Heppner Branch Other offices: Hermiston, Boardman & Pendleton Home Office