NALMS 314 Working Group Flies into DC

The President’s Budget for FY 2026 previously proposed the complete elimination of the Non-Point Source Pollution Reduction grant program in Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, along with an 87% reduction Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. These programs are essential to protecting lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. The 319 program has improved water quality for nearly 1,500 lake and pond projects since 2002. While the funding has been returned to the FY2025 level, until the budget passes, this funding is not guaranteed. Congress is making important budget decisions for Fiscal year 2026 NOW! As a result, the NALMS 314 committee conducted a “fly-in” to Washington, DC on September 9, 2025, to meet with Senators on both sides of the aisle, as well as the Office of Water at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

Specifically, committee members Mark Heilman, Ben Rhoades (a current NALMS board member) and NALMS Past-President Chris Mikolajczyk, along with government strategist Drue Winters attended seven (7) total meetings. Meetings were held with the offices of Senators Wicker (R-MS), Markey (D-MA), Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Sanders (D-VT). In addition, the committee members met with both the minority (D) and majority (R) sides of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works. Lastly, the committee members met with leadership at the Office of Water at the USEPA.

These meetings were productive to say the least! The 314 committee now has some “homework” to do, which involves supplying these respective offices with further information, data, financial figures and success stories. A particularly positive development was a request to the 314 committee for policy solutions and examples of what legislative language to strengthen the current 319 program may look like, as well as bolster the National Lakes Assessment in the future.

Stay tuned!

-Chris Mikolajczyk and Ben Rhoades, co-chairs NALMS 314 committee