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April 27, 2001
AMSA Congratulates EPA Water AA Nominee
This week AMSA congratulated G. Tracy Mehan, Director of the Office of Great Lakes at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, who President Bush has named as EPA Assistant Administrator for Water. In his current position, Mehan has advocated for stronger controls on nonpoint sources and mercury emissions. He also has called for large investments in natural resources, indicating that "a multi-billion dollar resource deserves, over time, a multi-billion dollar investment". Mehan previously worked as EPA Associate Deputy Administrator from 1992 to 1993 and directed the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from 1989 to 1992. View AMSA's letter at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/outreach.htm
AMSA Comments on Iron & Steel Effluent Guidelines
On April 25 AMSA commented on EPA's proposed Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG), Pretreatment Standards, and New Source Performance Standards for the Iron and Steel (I&S) Manufacturing Point Source Category. AMSA's comments demonstrate that a new I&S ELG is not needed and express concern with EPA's use of 20 year old data. AMSA will continue to engage EPA as it considers comments. See AMSA's comments at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/04-25-01commentsepa.pdf
AMSA Attends Endocrine Disruptor Public Meeting
On April 24 AMSA attended a public meeting on the formation of the Endocrine Disruptor Methods Validation Subcommittee (EDMVS) under the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology. The meeting was designed to collect input on the subcommittee's mission and organizational processes from the public and a panel of stakeholders. EDMVS will provide technical advice and recommendations to EPA regarding the validation of the endocrine disruptor screening and testing methods identified in EPA's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). EPA will solicit EDMVS nominations in the next week. After validation, EPA will screen and test the chemicals suspected of endocrine disruption. Completion of validation efforts is not expected until 2005. AMSA will continue tracking EDSP implementation to ensure member interests are represented.
EPA Further Delays Arsenic Rule Effective Date
On April 23 EPA proposed to further delay the effective date for the arsenic standard for drinking water until February 22, 2002. EPA's second delay of the controversial rule, which would lower the acceptable level of arsenic from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb, will give the Agency time to complete a scientific reassessment. EPA has asked the National Academy of Sciences to perform an expedited review of a range of three to 20 ppb for the establishment of a new drinking water standard. Any new standard will take effect in 2006-the same time the original rule was to go into place.
> Attention Policy Forum Attendees! We look forward to seeing a large contingent of AMSA members in Washington, DC for the 2001 Policy Forum, May 19 - 23. If you have already made your hotel reservation, and find that you are unable to attend the Policy Forum, please call Nirah Forman, at the National Office at 202/833-8418, to cancel your reservation. Do not contact the Marriott at Metro Center. This will allow AMSA to offer your room to another Forum attendee. For online registration and the most up-to-date conference agenda visit AMSA's web site, www.amsa-cleanwater.org.