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.

January 20, 2006

Provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA

Higher-Density Development May Protect Water Quality
On January 19 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the report "Protecting Water Resources with Higher-Density Development."  Intended for water quality professionals, communities, local governments, and state and regional planners, the report concludes that low-density development may not always be the best way to protect water resources.  EPA modeled stormwater runoff from several residential densities to examine the impacts of development on watershed functions.  According the report, "EPA believes that increasing development densities is one strategy communities can use to minimize regional water quality impacts."  This report helps guide communities to better understand the impacts of high- and low-density development on water resources.  The report is available at: www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/water_density.htm.  (SRT)

Supreme Court to Hear States on Clean Water Act
Attorney generals of 34 states and the District of Columbia announced on January 19 that they are seeking to solidify the Clean Water Act in three cases to be heard next month before the US Supreme Court. The states are backing the Clean Water Act's requirements for obtaining permits before pollutants can be discharged into US waterways.  At issue is whether the Clean Water Act protects wetlands adjacent to tributaries that flow into larger water bodies and adjacent wetlands, and if so, whether the Constitution gives Congress the authority to protect them.  The Court is being asked to rule in S.D. Warren v. Maine Board of Environmental Protection as well as in two cases from Michigan, Rapanos v. US and Carabell v. US Army Corps of Engineers.  To view the full story, visit: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2006/2006-01-19-02.asp. (SJH)

EPA Awards Grants to Eastern States for Wetlands Programs
This week EPA awarded several grants from a pilot wetlands project that was set up to study the effectiveness of state and tribal wetland programs.  The project focuses on linking program activities to measurable environmental outcomes, particularly no net loss of wetlands, net gain of wetlands, and the protection of vulnerable wetlands.  Maryland was awarded $780,726, Delaware received $779,982, Pennsylvania got $263,443, and $762,249 went to Virginia’s wetlands programs.  The funding covers a three-year grant period with one-third of the funding provided each year.  (SRT)
 
Bush Nominates Gulliford to Lead EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances
On January 17 the White House nominated James Gulliford to be EPA’s assistant administrator for prevention, pesticides, and toxic substances. Gulliford has been the administrator of Region 7 since September 2001.  Steve Johnson served as assistant administrator at the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances until July 2003 when he became EPA’s administrator.  Since he vacated the position, Susan Hazen has been the acting assistant administrator.  Hazen will continue to lead the office until Gulliford’s nomination is confirmed by the Senate.  Before heading Region 7, Gulliford was director of Iowa's Department of Soil Conservation, and before that worked in mine reclamation and environmental protection at Iowa State University and Southern Illinois University.  (SRT)

USDA Announces $38 Million for Cooperative Conservation Projects and $40 Million for Energy Cost Offset for Completion of EQUIP Practices
This week Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner announced the availability of $38 million in funding for competitively selected proposals for projects in four conservation emphasis areas.  "These funding opportunities are examples of the Bush Administration's continuing commitment to encouraging cooperative conservation between government and private partners," said Conner. The request for proposals can be found http://www.grants.gov/. Conner also announced $40 million for one-time payment adjustments that will allow eligible Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) participants to complete conservation practices that have been delayed because of recent increases in energy prices.  The one-time adjustment will apply to participants who signed EQIP contracts in 2004 or earlier.  The increase in payment will apply to specific practices that have been most affected by spikes in the cost of concrete, steel, plastic pipe, and other construction materials.  The increase will only be paid for practices that are completed between March 1 and June 30, 2006 and will focus on specific practices that have escalated in price by 20 percent or more because of rising energy costs.  For more information on this one-time adjustment, go to the NRCS Web site http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.  (SRT)

EPA Region 4 to Host 2006 National Environmental Partnership Summit
This week EPA announced that the National Environmental Partnership Summit, which focuses on environmental stewardship, improving environmental quality and achieving sustainable outcomes, will be held in Atlanta from May 8 through 11. The Summit, hosted by EPA Region 4, will feature interactive sessions, workshops, and site visits for the 800 anticipated participants. Attendees will examine partnering, science and systems-based approaches, multi-media and 'whole toolbox' strategies, measurement, transferability, sustainability and more in the context of a vision of stewardship.  Additional information about the Summit and registration are available at http://www.environmentalsummit.org/.  (SRT)

Quote of the Week: "I have little need to remind you that water has become one of our major national concerns."  ~Ezra Taft Benson, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. (Opening sentence of the Foreword of the 1955 Yearbook of Agriculture - dedicated entirely to water).

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/.