WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) and Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) announced the approval of key legislative language in the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill to help with the planning, design and construction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Los Osos.  Specifically, the legislative language would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve a waiver of the 10,000 population requirement under its Rural Development program to assist San Luis Obispo County with meeting eligibility requirements for securing certain loan and grant programs to construct the project.

“This is another important step forward for the County as they work to secure a safe source of water for the Los Osos community,” said Capps. “For years I have worked tirelessly to help the community build this much needed sewer system.  The approval of this waiver by the House Appropriations Committee is a significant sign of progress as we work to provide the County with additional federal support and resources for this project.  I will be working closely with my colleagues in the coming weeks to ensure the waiver is approved by the full House and included in the final bill signed by the President.”

“I am pleased that we could work together in a bipartisan fashion to cut through the red tape to make sure that Los Osos has the ability to invest in much needed water infrastructure improvements,” said McCarthy.  “This eligibility has a dual purpose--it is a necessary step to help ensure the residents of Los Osos have safe and clean water and continue to protect the natural resources and environment in and around the community.”    

“On behalf of the County and residents of Los Osos, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Congresswoman Capps and Congressman McCarthy for their coordinated effort in supporting the inclusion of Los Osos in the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill.”  County Supervisor Bruce Gibson.

“The inclusion of Los Osos in the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill is clearly the best opportunity for obtaining stimulus funding and addressing affordability impacts of the wastewater project.  We are excited about the opportunity to work with the USDA and build upon the positive relationship we have developed with their organization through implementing other projects within the County.”  Paavo Ogren, Director of Public Works.

This construction of a wastewater project in Los Osos will respond to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s order to replace the community’s current septic system, cleanse Los Osos’ groundwater basin to ensure clean and safe water for the residents of Los Osos, and protect the adjacent Morro Bay National Estuary from pollution. The wastewater project will also resolve Los Osos’ longstanding problem with groundwater contamination, prevent seawater intrusion into deeper groundwater levels, and recharge groundwater supplies.  Earlier this year Congresswoman Capps and Congressman Kevin McCarthy requested that the legislative language needed to grant the waiver from the USDA’s Rural Development program population requirement be included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  The Subcommittee on Agriculture approved its bill last week, and the full House will consider the legislation next month. 

Congresswoman Capps has worked for years to assist the Los Osos community with their efforts to secure a safe, clean source of water.  In the 2007 Water Resources Development Act, at the request of San Luis Obispo County officials, Congresswoman Capps obtained an authorization of $35 million for the construction of a wastewater treatment facility in Los Osos.   The Congresswoman also secured an authorization of $7.8 million for the Los Osos Wastewater Treatment project in the 2000 Water Resources Development Act.  Of that $7.8 authorization approved in 2000, Congresswoman Capps has helped secure $200,000 in appropriations to assist with the design of the project. 

###

Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.