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.

Water Resources Development Act Sent to the White House 
On Oct. 23, the House sent the $23 billion Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to the White House, where President Bush is likely to veto it.  In early October, the White House indicated President Bush’s intent to veto the bill, primarily because of its price tag.  If the president neither signs nor vetoes the bill after 10 days, it becomes law without his signature.  The WRDA conference report passed in both the House and Senate with enough votes to override a veto. The Senate voted 81-12 for the conference report last month, while the House approved the bill in August, 381-40.  To view H.R. 1495, visit: www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-1495.

Senate Adopts Resolution Celebrating Clean Water Act's 35th Year
The Senate unanimously adopted a resolution on Oct. 19 that commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act.  Sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), James Inhofe (R-OK), and David Vitter (R-LA), S. Res. 354 recognizes that the Clean Water Act was enacted into law on October 18, 1972, and recommits the Senate to restoring and maintaining the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of all waters of the United States.  "For 35 years, Americans have relied on the Clean Water Act to keep our lakes, rivers, streams and coastal waters safe for us to fish and swim. It is the law that preserves our wetlands and protects our drinking water. I'm pleased to join my colleagues in commemorating this landmark of environmental and public health protection," Senator Lautenberg said in a press release.  Boxer, who Chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, noted that "there is still more work to be done," adding that, “as we honor the successes of the CWA today, it is important that we also recommit to protecting the quality of our nation's water."  The three-page resolution is available at http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&FileStore_id=75df278c-792d-40b2-b54a-b89282068982.

EPA Announces Agricultural Advisory Committee
EPA announced on Oct. 17 the establishment of the first Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee. The committee is being formed under the guidelines of the National Strategy for Agriculture (www.epa.gov/agriculture/agstrategy.html), which EPA announced in April 2006.  "This committee provides an opportunity to improve dialogue between EPA and the farming community. By sitting down at the same table, together we can do what's good for agriculture and good for our environment," said Administrator Johnson.  EPA plans to ask the committee to focus on the following three issues: how EPA's policies and regulations on climate change and renewable energy will affect the agriculture community, an environmental strategy for livestock operations, and development of an approach to advancing sustainable agriculture and protection of the environment.  The committee will meet twice a year and will consist of approximately 25 members representing the following stakeholders: large and small farmers, ranchers and rural communities; rural suppliers, marketers and processors; academics and researchers who study environmental issues impacting agriculture; tribal agricultural groups; and environmental and conservation groups.  EPA's request for member nominations will be posted in the Federal Register soon.  The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and other federal agencies will also be invited to nominate members.

Quote of the Week:
“Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage, fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem.”
 - Saul Steinberg

To receive This Week in Washington via e-mail, contact Sharon Thomas at sthomas@wef.org.