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.

EPA Issues Additional Guidance to Prevent Stormwater Pollution at Construction Sites
EPA announced on Nov. 19 the availability of sample pollution prevention plans for medium-sized residential subdivisions and for small commercial sites.  The two models supplement the guidance, Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites.  A stormwater pollution prevention plan identifies potential sources of stormwater pollution at a construction site and details how construction operators should keep pollution from running into nearby waterways.  The sample plans, EPA Example Construction SWPPP: Medium-Sized Residential Subdivision and EPA Example Construction SWPPP: Small Commercial Site, use hypothetical sites and conditions to demonstrate the development of a prevention plan that meets permit requirements and accurately describes the steps being taken to prevent stormwater pollution.  The new sample plans cover site evaluation, assessment, and planning; erosion and sediment control best management practices; "good housekeeping" best management practices; selecting post-construction best management practices; inspections; recordkeeping and training; and final stabilization.  The sample medium and small-sized stormwater pollution prevention plans are available at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/swpppguide.

EPA Announces Workshop to Discuss Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program
EPA announced in the Nov. 23 Federal Register that it is convening a 1-day public workshop to discuss the draft policies and procedures for completing the initial screening and testing under the agency's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) and the burden and cost estimates for the related information collection activities.  In two forthcoming notices in the Federal Register, EPA will announce the availability for public comment of the draft policies and procedures the agency is considering adopting for conducting the initial screening and testing under the EDSP, and the draft Information Collection Request (ICR) for the initial screening and testing.  The purpose of the workshop is to allow the public to ask questions to help inform their comments on the soon to be published notices.  The meeting will be held on Dec. 17.  Details regarding the meeting are available at www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-MEETINGS/2007/November/Day-23/m22895.htm.   

EPA, Army Corps Extend Public Comment Period for Joint  Rapanos Guidance
EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced on Nov. 28 that they are extending the public comment period for the interagency joint guidance on the scope of the agencies' jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.  EPA and the Corps issued the guidance in June 2007, following the Supreme Court's decision in the consolidated cases Rapanos v. United States and Carabell v. United States.  After carefully considering the public comments received and field experience with implementing the guidance, the agencies intend to reissue, revise, or suspend the guidance, according to an EPA press release. Comments on the guidance are due Jan. 21 and can be submitted to docket EPA-HQ-OW-2007-0282 through www.regulations.gov.  The Federal Register notice is available at www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2007/November/Day-28/w5867.htm.

Central Davis Sewer District in Kaysville, UT Receives NBP EMS Certification
The National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) announced on Nov. 27 that the Central Davis Sewer District Wastewater Treatment Facility in Kaysville, UT became the 18th wastewater agency in the U.S. to have its biosolids environmental management system (EMS) certified by the NBP.  Central Davis’ EMS program was successfully verified on Nov. 5 by the audit firm of NSF-International Strategic Registrations.  An EMS celebration will be planned in the near future.  There are 100 wastewater organizations located in 35 states and the District of Columbia participating in the NBP EMS program.  The Central Davis audit report is available at www.cdsewer.org/BiosolidsEMS/NBP_External_Audit_2007_-_NSF_International.pdf.  To view the Central Davis web page, visit: www.cdsewer.org/BiosolidsEMS/biosolidsems.html.  For a complete listing of NBP EMS certified agencies, visit: www.biosolids.org/docs/WhatisNBPCert.pdf.

Quote of the Week:
"We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them."
- Kahlil Gibran

To receive This Week in Washington via e-mail, contact Martha Ravenhill at mravenhill@wef.org.