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.

March 17, 2006

Provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA

Senate Commerce Committee Passes Coastal Land Protection Bill
On Thursday, March 16, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee reported out S. 1215, the Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act.  The legislation was sponsored by Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) and would direct the Commerce secretary to create a Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection (CELP) program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  The program would protect important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical or aesthetic values and that are threatened by conversion to other uses. Under the new program, coastal states with approved coastal management programs or National Estuarine Research Reserves could compete for Commerce Department grants to acquire property or interests in coastal and estuarine areas threatened by commercial and residential development. The federal share for an acquisition grant would be capped at 75 percent.  NOAA could waive the cost-share requirement under certain circumstances, such as for underserved or impoverished communities or some communities with small populations. Grants would be awarded based on the demonstrated need for protection and the ability to successfully leverage funds among participating entities. S 1215 also would authorize $5 million for a watershed demonstration project to provide a model for future regional watershed protection projects.  Total authorization for the program is $60 million annually for provisions contained in the bill.  There is a related bill in the House sponsored by Jim Saxton (R-NJ) that is pending before the House Resources Committee. (PS)
 
Bi-partisan Bill Would Establish a National Commission to Examine Nation’s Infrastructure
On March 8, Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) along with Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE) and Senator Hilary Clinton (D-NY) introduced legislation to address the deteriorating condition of the nation’s infrastructure, including water and wastewater systems, roads, and bridges. If enacted, S. 2388, The National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2006, would establish a National Commission on Infrastructure of the United States. The commission would be charged with aiding in the nation’s economic growth and ensuring the ability of the nation’s infrastructure to meet current and future demands. The highlights of the bill include:  completion of a study by February 2009 that addresses all matters relating to the state of the nation’s infrastructure, including capacity of infrastructure improvements to sustain current and anticipated economic development, the age, condition and capacity of public infrastructure, repair and maintenance needs, financing methods and investment requirements; development of recommendations for a federal plan outlining infrastructure priorities; and completion of a report to Congress by February 2009 that would detail infrastructure legislation deemed necessary for the next five, 15, 30 and 50 years.  The bill was referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.  There is no similar legislation pending in the House. (PS)

USGS to Examine Emerging Contaminants Transport
On March 14, the USGS announced plans to investigate whether and how emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and hormones, are diluted or transformed as they travel through water. Little data exist on how these compounds are transported, according to Mike Facazio of the USGS's Office of Water Quality; however, preliminary research indicates that sediment may serve as a reservoir. USGS will be looking at why the contaminants attenuate as they move away from their source through surface water and groundwater. According to Facazio, USGS has identified 45 antibiotics, 12 prescription drugs, eight nonprescription drugs, 14 hormones and steroids, and 79 household and industrial compounds in water. The research is intended to provide data to evaluate possible adverse effects of emerging contaminants to environmental and human health. (SRT)

President Nominates Kempthorne for Top Job at Interior
On March 16, President Bush nominated Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne to be the 49th Secretary of the Interior. The nomination follows the March 10 announcement by Secretary Gale Norton that she would be leaving her post effective at the end of the month. "As Secretary of the Interior, Dirk will continue my administration's efforts to conserve our land, water, and air resources, reduce the maintenance backlog of our national parks, support historic and cultural sites through our Preserve America Initiative, and develop the energy potential of federal lands and waters in environmentally sensitive ways," noted the President. Kempthorne has served as the Mayor of Boise and as a United States Senator. While in the Senate, he chaired the Subcommittee on Drinking Water, Fisheries, and Wildlife, and he chaired the Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee. In a statement, Norton praised Kempthorne, noted that "President Bush made a great decision," and urged the Senate to act swiftly on his confirmation. (SRT)

EPA Awards $5 Million to Study Health and Environmental Effects of Nanotechnology
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that it has awarded 14 grants totaling $5 million to universities to investigate potential health and environmental effects of manufactured nanomaterials.  EPA believes that nanotechnology has the potential to transform environmental clean-up and treat serious illnesses.  A nanometer is 80,000 times smaller than a human hair.  EPA is funding additional research on whether or not nanoparticles in manufactured products can enter the human body, and if so, how long they remain.  Similarly, researchers will study the fate and transport of nanoparticles in the environment.  "This emerging field has the potential to transform environmental protection.  Researchers are now testing iron nanoparticles that could clean up pollutants in large areas of groundwater cheaper and more effectively than any existing techniques," said George Gray, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Research and Development.  "At the same time, we must understand whether nanomaterials could negatively impact health or the environment.  This research will help determine the viability of nanotechnology as a tool for protecting our environment."  The nanotechnology grants were awarded through EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) research grants program in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  Information on the nanotechnology STAR grants is available at http://www.epa.gov/ncer/nano2005 (SRT)

Register Now for the National Clean Water Policy Forum
Capital Hilton
Washington, DC
May 1 – 3, 2006

Registration and Agenda available now
at http://www.wef.org/PolicyAction/USGovernmentAffairs/GAEvents/

The 2006 National Clean Water Policy Forum, held jointly by WEF and NACWA, will feature the latest legislative and regulatory developments in our Nation’s capital.  Your registration fee includes not only the diverse and dynamic program, but also an evening reception on Monday, May 1, breakfast, lunch, and an evening reception on Tuesday, May 2, and a regulatory roundtable breakfast on Wednesday, May 3.  Speakers include USEPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and Charles Cook, political commentator and author of The Cook Political Report.  On May 1, WEF will convene a meeting of its Government Affairs Committee and hold a briefing open to all attendees on Water Is Life and Infrastructure Makes It Happen™.  After the Policy Forum on May 3, the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) is hosting its annual awards luncheon at the National Press Club.  (For additional information, please contact AAEE directly at 410.266.3311 or visit their website at http://www.aaee.net). (SRT)

Quote of the Week: “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." ~ Andy Warhol (1928 – 1987)

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/.