The 2019 National Water Policy Fly-In, held April 3-4, during Water Week 2019, was a great success! Thank you to the nearly 300 attendees who participated in the highest levels of policy advocacy before Congress and the Administration.
During Water Week 2019, WEF’s Stormwater Institute hosted the third annual Subscriber Policy Forum. The forum is a cornerstone event of the Stormwater Institute, providing thought-provoking and informative presentations. Subscribers hear from congressional staffers, state and federal regulators, and thought-leaders in the sector. During the event, the Stormwater Institute released an updated Congressional Ask document - Recommendations to Improve the Stormwater Program in the U.S. and an updated WEF stormwater position statement.
During the Fly-in, participants had an opportunity to hear from top officials in the Trump administration, as well as key members of Congress during organized panels and roundtables on research, reuse, integrated planning, stormwater, WIFIA and much more. U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water David Ross helped kick off the event.
Congressional staff from the several important committees also spoke to attendees about various important pieces of legislation including the importance of a new infrastructure bill, WRDA reauthorization, and the Clean Water Act, and the growing concern on both of sides of the aisle with PFAS.
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) spoke to attendees before they headed out to meet with their own Members of Congress offering encouragement and reminding them that they- the constituents and experts in the field - were the ones the Members of Congress wanted and needed to hear from. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE) helped inspire attendees the night before at a reception in the Library of Congress.
This was the second year for the WEF YP Scholarship program, and attendees had the opportunity to meet other young professionals in the field and attend a special lunch prior to meeting their Members of Congress. This scholarship program was set up in an effort to grow YP interest in government affairs.
WEF would like to thank all the MAs and WEF members who attended for participating in the National Water Policy Fly-in of 2019, as well as those that participated remotely.
