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.
|
|
 |
Congressional Water Caucus Seeks New Members and Plans Agenda
Members of a newly organized bipartisan Congressional Water Caucus sent a Dear Colleague letter in mid-August inviting members of Congress to join. The letter, signed by five co-chairs and 29 members of the House of Representatives, stated that the caucus “will allow Members of Congress committed to the goals of promoting dialogue about our nation’s water issues to have a meaningful educational venue and forum,” and, “provide timely, scientific information and dialogue about water resources and water use.” The letter lists “Twelve Principles of Water Policy” that range from ensuring an adequate supply of fresh water for U.S. citizens to protecting the rights of state and local governments. The caucus has yet to schedule any events. Caucus co-chairs are John Linder (R-GA), Jim Costa (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), Bart Stupak (D-MI), and Grace Napolitano (D-CA). Others listed in the letter as “original members” include 17 Democrats and 12 Republicans, with California having the largest representation (12), followed by Texas (4). A copy of the letter is available upon request by e-mailing sthomas@wef.org.
Water and Wastewater Organizations Urge the Senate to Strengthen Water Protection Measures in the Farm Bill
On September 4, eleven organizations representing public and privately owned drinking water and wastewater systems sent a letter to Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, urging the committee to strengthen environmental protections through the Farm Bill’s Conservation Title. The letter specifically focused on a new Regional Water Enhancement Program (RWEP) through which regional stakeholders would be able to join together to identify and develop plans to address water quality and conservation challenges facing their watersheds and apply to USDA for competitive grants. According to the letter, early drafts of the Senate’s legislation included RWEP language, and the committee is expected to markup the Conservation Title soon. The letter outlined key features that the organizations believe will maximize RWEP’s effectiveness, including a request that the funding level match the $175 million per year that the Bush Administration included in its Conservation Title proposal. The letter was signed by WEF, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and others. A copy of the letter is available upon request by e-mailing sthomas@wef.org.
Save the Date! WEF and EESI Briefing to Mark the Clean Water Act’s 35th Anniversary
On September 19, WEF and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute will hold a congressional briefing marking the 35th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Despite considerable progress in achieving water quality goals envisioned in the Act, data indicate that up to 44% of assessed estuaries and 35% of assessed rivers and streams still suffer from impaired water quality. While the CWA is considered one of the most successful environmental statues enacted over the past half century, Congress has not revisited its provisions since 1987, and calls for updating the law to address such issues as stormwater and agricultural runoff are growing. What are the challenges facing this landmark statute over the next 35 years and what should Congress do to meet those challenges? The briefing will address issues including non-point stormwater runoff, emerging sources of pollution, and the role water quality trading might play in achieving the Act’s goals. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar will open the briefing with preliminary remarks. The briefing will be held in Room 210 of the Canon House Office Building from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and is open to the public.
EPA Provides Funds to Help States Protect Drinking Water
EPA recently awarded $600,000 in grants to The Trust for Public Land and the Smart Growth Leadership Institute to enhance source water protection and encourage collaboration and harmonization of individual state's land use and water protection programs. The awardees, in partnership with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and the River Network, will select seven states to receive consultations with national experts on best practices, opportunities to examine other state examples and strategies, recommendations for policy alignment and program adjustments, strategies for improving funding for water protection, and financial support to initiate implementation activities. States interested in participating must submit an Expression of Interest Form by September 21. Information describing the project, application forms, and important dates are available at www.landuseandwater.org.
EPA Issues State Guides for Microbials, Byproducts in Drinking Water
EPA released final guidance on August 27 to help states comply with two major rules issued in December of 2005 to help reduce microbial contaminants and disinfection byproducts in drinking water. The Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR) Implementation Guidance explains how states can help water utilities minimize Cryptosporidium and Giardia that can cause gastrointestinal illness and is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/lt2. The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2 Rule) State Implementation Guidance explains how states can help utilities balance necessary disinfection with potentially dangerous byproducts formed during the process and is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/stage2.
Tri-City Service District, OR Receives NBP EMS Certification
The National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) is pleased to recognize the Tri-City Service District in Oregon City, OR as the seventeenth wastewater agency in the nation to be certified and admitted to the Partnership’s environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program. The Tri-City Service District, which services the cities of Oregon City, Gladstone and West Linn, plus a diversion from the Clackamas County Service District #1 (Kellogg Plant), is one of 100 wastewater agencies currently participating in the NBP EMS program. As the 17th wastewater agency certified and admitted into the NBP EMS program, Tri-City Service District’s Clackamas County’s achievement recognizes that the agency has been independently verified as having an effective biosolids environmental management system. The Tri-City Service District is planning an EMS celebration in late October/early November 2007. For more information on the NBP, visit: www.biosolids.org.
Quote of the Week:
No spring, nor summer beauty hath such grace,
As I have seen in one autumnal face.
- John Donne, Elegy 9, The Autumnal (1635)
To receive This Week in Washington via e-mail, contact Sharon Thomas at sthomas@wef.org.