Proponents of Clean Water Act Section 401 reform describe it as necessary to stop states from abusing their authority by using the water quality certification process to delay or block federally permitted projects f. A survey conducted by the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA) does not support that premise.
Funding and Congressional Relations Committee
FY27 Interior, Environment Appropriations Written Testimony
ACWA submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies urging Congress to maintain FY 2026 funding levels for key Clean Water Act programs in FY 2027. The testimony pushes back on the President’s proposed EPA budget, which would cut the agency’s discretionary funding by roughly 52% including eliminating categorical grants that states rely on to run water quality programs and slashing more than $2.5 billion from the State Revolving Funds.
ACWA argues that eliminating these grants wouldn’t free states to manage their own programs — it would effectively convert a cooperative federal-state structure into an unfunded mandate, reducing permit writers, monitoring capacity, and enforcement presence. The letter also calls on Congress to preserve funding for geographic restoration programs like the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. ACWA notes that Congress rejected similar cuts in FY 2026 and urges it to do the same again.
FY2027 Funding Chart Update
An updated funding chart reflecting the FY2027 President’s Budget Request.
Impacts of President’s FY 26 Budget Proposal on State Water Quality Programs
The proposed elimination of STAG funding in the FY 2026 federal budget proposal would dramatically impact the nation’s waters, public health and economic growth. These funds are the lifeblood of state programs and without them, states may be forced to slash essential services, lay off expert staff, halt restoration projects, and delay or even forgo clean water protections.
FY 2024 House Appropriations Letter
FY 2024 House Appropriations Letter
FY 2024 Senate Appropriations Letter
FY 2024 Senate Appropriations Letter
ACWA FY2021 Audit
ACWA FY2021 Audit
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) SRF Questions & Answers
A question and answers document on BIL Implementation from the Office of Water
Letter from EPA Administrator Regan to Governors on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Water Infrastructure
A copy of a letter from the EPA Administrator to Governors on the Water Infrastructure provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
State Associations Letter on 106 Funding
The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA), the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), and the Western States Water Council (WSWC), which represent State environmental agencies and programs, strongly support increased funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and the environment. However, in order to successfully implement the goals of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, state environmental programs need increased resources to administer their programs and support new infrastructure investments.
FY 2022 Budget Chart
FY2022 Appropriations Testimony
This testimony was submitted to both the House and Senate Subcommittees for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies on April 30, 2021.
