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April 3, 1998
Funding for Clean Water Action Plan Initiatives Threatened
President Clinton's five-year budget proposal to fund the administration's Clean Water Action Plan with an additional $2.5 billion has not faired well in the Senate. During yesterday's Senate floor debate, an amendment introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), which would allow revenue from a reinstated Superfund tax to be used for environmental priorities listed in the Clean Water Initiative, was rejected in a 47-52 vote. Senator Lautenberg's amendment had been previously rejected by the Senate Budget Committee on March 18, when the Committee approved a proposal by Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) that would fund EPA's budget a roughly the same levels enacted by Congress in 1998.
Much of the concern with the President's proposed fiscal increases stem from Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Senator John Chafee (R-RI), who finds the increases to be a violation of the terms of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. It has been reported that Senate Appropriations Committee members are also wary of approving the Action Plan budget increases, stating that in the areas of nonpoint source pollution controls especially, the Plan exceeds federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Congressional sources would rather that the Action Plan's new water quality initiatives be dealt with through a reauthorized Clean Water Act.
Sources at the White House Council on Environmental Quality are concerned that the Budget Committee has seriously jeopardized funding for critical nonpoint source pollution control efforts funded by the Action Plan. The Clean Water Action Plan is a top priority for the Administration and they will put up a fight for the funding of its initiatives.
AMSA and other clean water stakeholders that recognize the urgent need to proceed with strengthened controls on nonpoint source pollution have taken action wherever possible to support Clean Water Action Plan funding. AMSA will submit testimony to the House and Senate appropriations committees in late April and will also be urging AMSA members to voice their support for funding these important water quality initiatives. The House is expected to begin its own version of the budget resolution after the April recess.
Seven Regional Meetings Scheduled on Implementing Action Plan
Senior officials from EPA, USDA, the Army Corp of Engineers, NOAA, and the Dept. of the Interior will provide officials and staff from state, tribal, and federal agencies, and non-governmental representatives the opportunity to discuss the Clean Water Action Plan and implementation efforts at regional meetings being held in April and May. AMSA members interested in attending one of the meetings are encouraged to contact the individuals listed below for more information on the exact location and time of meetings.
April 14 San Francisco, CA Alexis Strauss 415/744-1860 April 15 Portland, OR Tina Reischoff 206/553-1601 April 16 Denver, CO Rick Claggett 303/312-6800 April 23 Atlanta, GA Gail Vanderhoogt 404/562-9234 April 24 Boston, MA Lynn Gilleland 617/565-3545 May 12 Dallas, TX Richard Hoppers 214/665-8183 May 13 Chicago, IL Tim Henry 312/886-6107