42 U.S.C. § 300h–8 — State ground water protection grants

(a) In general. The Administrator may give a state a grant to develop and run a state program that coordinates and comprehensively protects that state's groundwater resources. (b) Guidance. Within 1 year of August 6, 1996, and every year after, the Administrator must publish guidance on how to apply for this money and what key elements a state groundwater protection program should have. (c) Conditions of grants. (1) In general. The Administrator awards grants to states with an approved application, basing the amount on the state's groundwater resources and how likely the grant is to lead to lasting, reliable groundwater protection. (2) Innovative program grants. The Administrator may also fund innovative state-proposed programs for preventing groundwater contamination. (3) Allocation of funds. Each year, the Administrator must make sure at least 1 percent of the appropriated funds goes to each state with an approved application. (4) Limitation on grants. No grant may fund a project to clean up existing groundwater contamination. (d) Amount of grants. A grant can cover up to 50 percent of the eligible costs of the program, for the 1-year period starting when the grant is awarded. The state must pay at least the other 50 percent from state funds. (e) Evaluations and reports. Within 3 years of August 6, 1996, and every 3 years after, the Administrator must evaluate the funded state programs and report to Congress on the nation's groundwater quality and how effective state protection programs have been. (f) Authorization of appropriations. Congress may spend $15,000,000 each year from fiscal year 1997 through fiscal year 2003 to carry out this section.