Asheville.

• Position: Western - Broad River basin - Brief article

ASHEVILLE--Water in the French

Broad River basin is getting cleaner, according to state regulators. About 224.5 miles of its rivers and streams don't meet federal standards this year, down from 293.5 in 2008. Environmentalists say recession has curbed development that adds pollutants.

Bills filed in Congress would authorize spending $75 million over five years to add...