DSMOA DETAILS

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@igc.org>]

From: Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@igc.org>

CALIFORNIA DSMOA DETAILS
I have been able to find out a little bit more about the anticipated 
cut in California's allocations of DSMOA (Defense State Memorandum of 
Agreement) funds.
First, with the aid of documentation supplied by states such as 
California, the Defense Department was able to add $10.9 million to the 
FY96 DSMOA line item, bringing the total to $20.9 million. Thus, this 
appears not to be a Congressional issue at this time.
California made a request for funds, under a cooperative agreement, 
covering the two-year period from July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1998. 
This amount (which I don't know) is what could be cut by as much as 40%.
There are two reasons for California not getting everything that it 
requested. First, the amount spent by the military on cleanup within 
the state may be less than California anticipates. Second, California 
would end up with more than half of all DSMOA funds.
However, the amount that Defense will make available depends upon the 
armed services updating their estimates of money to be spent within the 
state. That has not yet been determined, so no letter has been sent yet 
to California.
Even before agreement is reached on funding levels, the Defense 
Department is providing money to California (and other states) through 
December. However, the temporary level appears to be 40% below what 
California requested for the same period. That percentage reduction 
will not necessarily hold once there is an agreement
In the fiscal year 1997 Defense Authorization Act, which is awaiting 
final passage, there are no Congressional restrictions on DSMOA funding 
levels. However, the devolvement of the Defense Environmental 
Restoration Account will make it somewhat more difficult to put 
together a single pot of money for state activities.
It is likely that this issue will be resolved within the next few weeks.
Lenny Siegel