Straight pipe project funds still available

As the Ashe/Alleghany Straight Pipe Elimination Project continues, officials are encouraging homeowners to take advantage of available government funds to repair their drainage systems and correct illegal discharges.

"Never before in the Appalachian district did we have a pool of money available to help people repair their septic systems," said Gerold Elliott, the project director for the district health department.

The project was originally approved for two years, which would be through next June. However, Elliott said he expects it to be renewed for another year, through June 2003, although at this point that is only a verbal understanding.

While no additional money comes with the year's extension, he said providers of the funding — the Community Development Block Grant program, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Clean Water Management Trust Fund — have agreed to allow a shift in the money allocated. Of the $800,000 provided for the repairs, half was originally earmarked for grants and half for 3-percent-interest loans. Homeowners whose income is less than about $26,000 for a family of two or $32,000 for a family of four (80 percent of the median income) are eligible for the grants, provided they do not sell their property within five years.

Those with higher incomes are eligible for the loans.

About 90 percent of the projects in the two counties are eligible for the grants.

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