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.

Vessel Discharge Permits Proposed by EPA
EPA announced this week that they are proposing two general permits under the Clean Water Act that will cover discharges incidental to normal operation of commercial and recreational vessels. These vessels have previously been exempt, but now because of a court ruling, which is also currently under appeal, these vessels will require a permit starting September 30.  According to EPA, this will affect over 90,000 commercial vessels and 13 million recreational boats.  There will be a vessel general permit (VGP) for commercial and large recreational vessels (over 79 feet), and another permit for smaller recreational vessels (less than 79 feet).  According to EPA, the VGP would provide technology-based and water-quality-based effluent limits for discharges including ballast water, deck runoff, bilge water, gray water and other types of pollutants.  The permit for smaller recreational vessels measuring less than 79 feet in length would need to comply with new and established best management practices.  Ben Grumbles, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, said “EPA is proposing a practical approach as we work with Congress on a longer-term, comprehensive solution.”  The agency will hold a hearing and series of public meetings starting June 19, as well as invite comments for a period of 45 days.  For more information, visit www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels.

2008 Plan to Reduce Golf Hypoxia Released
On June 16, the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force released its 2008 Action Plan for states and federal agencies involved in reducing hypoxia in the Gulf.  The 2008 Action Plan for Reducing, Mitigating, and Controlling Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and Improving Water Quality in the Mississippi River Basin updates the 2001 Plan by incorporating emerging issues, innovative approaches, and findings from EPA’s Science Advisory Board.  According to EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water Ben Grumbles, “Our improved plan unites governments and citizens across the country to take action upstream and along the coast to reduce river nutrient pollution and increase Gulf of Mexico health.”  The 2008 Plan includes an Annual Operating Plan, a process for tracking progress, nutrient reduction strategies, and a plan to increase awareness of the problem and implementation of solutions.  More information on the 2008 Action Plan is available at www.epa.gov/msbasin/.

Florida Establishes Water Quality Credit Trading Pilot
On June 17, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed legislation establishing a pilot project for trading water quality credits in the state's Lower St. Johns River Basin.  Under the pilot program, point and nonpoint source dischargers that exceed required pollutant reductions will be able to generate, register, and trade water quality credits to enable other sources to achieve their allocations.  Approved unanimously by Florida's House and Senate, the legislation takes effect July 1.

The legislation requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to determine how credits will be generated, quantified, and validated; create a registry to track credits, trading activities, and prices paid for credits; establish a list of eligible pollutants or parameters and minimum water quality requirements; determine the timing and duration of credits and allowance for credit transferability; and develop mechanisms for ensuring compliance with trading procedures.

“We don't think trading pollution credits is a way to get our waters cleaned up," said Linda Young, Director of the Clean Water Network of Florida, a coalition of environmental advocacy groups and other organizations committed to strengthening the Clean Water Act.  "All the polluters are very much in favor of it." 

Administration Announces Plan to Develop National Environmental Indicators
On Tuesday, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the Office of Management and Budget, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy directed federal agencies to begin developing a set of national environmental indicators and to kick off a major pilot project in this area.  In a press release, the White House describes National Environmental Status and Trends (NEST) indicators as “high quality, scientifically based statistical measures of selected conditions of our environment and natural resources that will facilitate public discourse and decision-making.”

The indicators will be used by federal decision makers to analyze national trends and assess the impact of national programs on the environment and natural resources.  The program will begin with a pilot project that will focus on producing consistent, regularly recurring indicators in the area of water quantity and quality.  "Our Nation will benefit from a consistent set of indicators for our environment and natural resources," CEQ Chairman James Connaughton said. "Most NEST indicators will be produced from data collected by ongoing Federal and State programs. This action plan will improve the quality and uniformity of those data to provide nationally consistent, and more widely accessible, indicators."  The announcement is available at www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080617-5.html.

WERF Seeks Volunteers to Help Guide Research
The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) is seeking thought leaders from academia, wastewater and stormwater utilities, equipment manufacturing, and consulting sectors to serve on its Research Council starting in January 2009. The Research Council helps to create the vision for current and future wastewater, stormwater, and other water quality-related research.  Research Council members are volunteers and may serve for up to two 3-year terms.  If interested, please forward your curriculum vitae and a brief letter of interest no later than July 15 to Dan Woltering, Director of Research at dwoltering@werf.org. 

Quote of the Week
If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance.
~Bern Williams

To receive by e-mail, contact Martha Ravenhill at mravenhill@wef.org.