ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 15, 1995 TAG: 9512150091
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: Associated Press
Despite improvements, nearly four of every 10 lakes, rivers and estuaries remain too polluted to allow fishing, swimming or other aquatic uses at some time of the year, the Environmental Protection Agency reported Thursday.
The EPA review of the nation's water quality was released as Vice President Al Gore criticized the Republican Congress for cutting EPA enforcement funds and slashing money the agency wants to give states to improve sewer systems and water treatment facilities.
Gore, visiting a water treatment plant near Washington, called safe water ``the first line of defense in protecting public health'' and said that under the proposed cuts, the EPA will be unable to improve water quality.
Sen. Christopher Bond, R-Mo., chairman of the subcommittee that crafted the spending bill, accused Gore of ``grandstanding'' and said the agency under the GOP bill would face only a 9 percent cut in sewage treatment funds and would get more than $1.1 billion. The EPA had requested $1.6 billion to help states modernize treatment facilities.
``We've managed to provide close to full funding for EPA at a time when the constraints on discretionary spending are extraordinary,'' Bond insisted, adding that the agency's overall budget was only 4 percent below the 1995 level.
LENGTH: Short : 34 linesby CNB