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.

Final Pretreatment Streamlining Rule in Federal Register; EPA Requests Comments on Removal Credits Provisions
On October 14 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final rule, Streamlining the General Pretreatment Regulations for Existing and New Sources of Pollution, in the Federal Register.  The rule revises how industrial and commercial facilities manage their wastewater discharges before sending them on to publicly owned treatment works (POTW) for final treatment.  EPA's objective in finalizing the regulation is to achieve better environmental results at a lower cost by allowing Control Authorities to more effectively focus resources. The regulation is effective November 14.  Today EPA also published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on the availability of and procedures for removal credits under the General Pretreatment Regulations.  EPA is requesting comment on two issues concerning the removal credits provisions:  (1) whether to add certain pollutants to the list of pollutants for which removal credits are available and (2) options to amend the “consistent removal” provision in the removal credits regulations.  Comments are due to EPA on the proposed rule by December 13.  Copies of both the final rule and the proposal are available at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. (SRT)

EPA Issues Rule to Allow Electronic Reporting
EPA issued the Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule (CROMERR) on October 13.  CROMERR allows states, tribes, and local governments to accept electronic reporting, including electronic signatures, from regulated facilities under most environmental regulations. EPA designed the rule to maintain corporate and individual accountability for all reports that currently are sent on paper to ensure that enforcement actions are not affected.  Under the new rule, each EPA program (air, water, solid waste) may implement electronic reporting without any additional rule-making and must comply with CROMERR within two years. To further assist with the transition, EPA will provide a fact sheet for existing EPA systems that are working on CROMERR compliance, and a step-by step guide for program system managers to determine if they are compliant with the electronic reporting rule. More information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/cdx/cromerrr/index.html.  (SRT)

Environmental Education Funding Available from EPA
USEPA is soliciting grant proposals to support environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop aware and responsible students, teachers, and citizens. The grant program provides financial support for projects which design, demonstrate, or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. Non-federal matching funds of at least 25% of the total cost of the grant project are required. The closing date and time for submission of completed applications is close of business, November 23. For more information, go to http://www.lgean.org/html/whatsnew.cfm?id=957. (SJH)

USDA Funds Cooperative Conservation Efforts
On October 14, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released $1.68 billion to fund voluntary conservation farm bill programs on working lands in FY 2006.  The funding will be used by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide direct financial assistance and technical support to farmers and ranchers who undertake projects designed to improve soil, water, air, and wildlife habitat on their property.  According to Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner, "We are continuing the President's commitment to protecting our natural resources through cooperative conservation."  Additional information on specific program funding is available at: http://www.usda.gov/2005/10/0441.xml. (SRT)

 

Quote of the Week:  “The purpose of life is a life of purpose”.  ~Robert Byrne

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/.