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The states are responsible for implementing nearly every major EPA program, including conducting the permitting, inspections, enforcement and monitoring on behalf of EPA for air, water, drinking water and waste programs.
ECOS points out that states can no longer continue to subsidize EPA requirements, as there are budget shortfalls in 48 of the 50 states.
The EPA does give financial assistance through state and tribal assistance grants (STAG). STAG constitutes nearly half of EPA?EUR??,,????'?????<???EUR?s budget and includes funding for infrastructure and program implementation. The implementation portion has been particularly hard-hit in recent years, but the new federal budget proposes a $160 million increase.
Still, states are slashing funds for environmental programs, which threaten their ability to meet federal standards for clean air and water.
All but two states, Montana and North Dakota, have made significant cuts to EPA initiatives, ranging from toxic waste cleanup to sewage treatment, according to Steve Brown, ECOS executive director.
Pennsylvania has cut state funding for its Department of Environmental Protection by 30 percent; Massachusetts by 18 percent; and California has suspended or cut funds for dozens of environmental projects, including a $12 million plan to prevent storm-water runoff into the Santa Monica Bay.
While this year?EUR??,,????'?????<???EUR?s STAG budget is a step in the right direction, it is far from the levels states need to implement all the EPA programs.
The new budget, as proposed, cuts the State Revolving Loan Funds (SRFs) to pay for increases elsewhere. However, the SRFs have received unprecedented funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the previous budget. EPA again proposes solid funding this year for the SRFs that protect the environment and create construction sector jobs.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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