They were able to get an increase in the amount of money — an additional $62 million — authorized to help the military address fire-suppression-related groundwater contamination in areas like Coupeville and Oak Harbor.
In addition, Larsen was successful in getting increased authorization of Impact Aid paid to school districts, like Oak Harbor; the program provides funding to schools that educate service members’ children but have reduced property tax revenues because of a military installation.
Larsen’s amendment increased Impact Aid authority from $30 million to $50 million.
Over the last five years, the actual appropriation for the program ranged from $25 million in 2015 to $40 million in 2012 and 2014.
According to Laffey, the amount the district received during those years ranged from $250,000 to $450,000.
In the Senate version of the bill, Cantwell worked with Senator John McCain and the Armed Services Committee to include an additional $62 million for water remediation and environmental restoration for both the Navy and the Air Force, her office explained.
Once both versions of the bill passed, the conference committee of House and Senate members reconciled hundreds of differences between the two bills into final legislation.
In communities near bases around the country, including NAS Whidbey Island, the Navy has been testing wells to check the levels of two chemicals, perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid.
As of July 21, 2017, the Navy tested 219 samples and found 10 results are above the EPA lifetime health advisory level established for the chemicals.
In a statement, NAS Whidbey officials said identifying and eliminating drinking water exposure is a top Navy priority.