This Week in Washington is a weekly publication of the Water Environment Federation’s Government Affairs department. It provides updates on the latest legislative and regulatory developments that affect the water and wastewater communities.

Provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA

Governors Urge Funding for the Clean Water SRF

The National Governors Association sent a letter this week to Senators Conrad Burns (R-MT) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies, urging them to fund the Clean Water SRF at $1.35 billion, the level at which Congress has historically funded the program.  The letter, dated May 26 and signed by Governor Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and Governor Dave Freudenthal (D-WY), Chair and Vice Chair of the NGA Natural Resources Committee, was sent on behalf of all the nation’s Governors.  The letter also urged support for Stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund State and for Wildlife and Endangered Species Grant Programs.  The Appropriations Subcommittee is scheduled to mark-up its bill, which includes funding for EPA programs, on Tuesday, June 7, a day after Congress returns from Memorial Day recess (See attached letter). (PS) 

Administration intends to Nominate Peacock for EPA Deputy Administrator

The Administration announced that Marcus Peacock, Associate Director for Natural Resources at the White House Office of Management and Budget, will be nominated for the post of EPA Deputy Administrator.  Peacock will succeed Stephen Johnson who took over as EPA Administrator last month.  Prior to his post at OMB, Peacock served as staff director for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Oversight and Emergency Response and previously managed an environmental policy analysis and forecasting division for Jellinek, Schwartz & Connolly, an Arlington, VA., lobbying and consulting firm.  Peacock received his master's degree from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. (PS) 

National Biosolids Partnership EMS 401 Workshop – Audit Readiness

The National Biosolids Partnership will conduct an Environmental Management System 401 Workshop tentatively set for June 6 – 7, 2005 at the Radisson Hotel in Old Town Alexandria, VA.  The workshop is designed to help NBP Round 3 wastewater agencies prepare for their independent, third-party audits of their EMS programs.   NBP expects 12-15 wastewater agencies will undergo audits of their EMS programs during 2005.  To view the Workshop Agenda, visit: http://biosolids.org/docs/nbp_ems_401workshop_june2005_agendapdf.pdf

(SJH)

Butler County, OH Celebrates NBP EMS Certification

The Butler County Department of Environmental Services (BCDES) held a local celebration in recognition of its NBP EMS certification on May 26 at the LeSourdsville Regional Water Reclamation Facility in Hamilton, OH. Bob Dominak represented both NBP (National Biosolids Partnership) and NACWA (National Association of Clean Water Agencies), Tim Williams, WEF (Water Environment Federation), and John Colletti, EPA Region V (Environment Protection Agency) were present to offer congratulatory comments.  Butler County is the sixth wastewater agency in the nation to achieve NBP EMS certification.  Patrick Mahoney (representing Congressman Steve Cabot’s office); Charles Furmon and Michael Fox (County Commissioners) and Susan Vance (BCDES' Director) were also in attendance.  Following the presentation, which included and NBP EMS certification flag raising, BCDES had a grill-out for all guests in attendance and the entire BCDES staff.  To view the story, visit: www.biosolids.org. (SJH)

This Week in Washington is provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA. To receive This Week in Washington by e-mail, contact Lisa Jones, (703) 684-2400 ext. 7741, ljones@wef.org . For more information on this week's stories, please contact the WEF staff whose initials appear at the end of the item in which you are interested. TW - Tim Williams (703) 684-2437, twilliams@wef.org ; SRT - Sharon Thomas, (703) 684-2423, sthomas@wef.org ; SJH - Sam Hadeed (703) 684-2418, shadeed@wef.org ; PS-Patricia Sinicropi (703) 684-2416, psinicropi@wef.org . This Week in Washington is available on-line at http://www.wef.org/PolicyAction/USGovernmentAffairs/TWIW/.