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July 24, 1998
Perciasepe Named as EPA's Assistant Administrator for Air
On July 17, President Clinton announced the appointment of Bob Perciasepe as assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Perciasepe has managed EPA's water program, with a budget of $2.6 billion and 2,680 employees, since October 1993. Over the past five years, AMSA has built a strong collegial relationship with Perciasepe, hosting him as a speaker at conferences, meeting with him annually at the Association's Fall Leadership Meeting, and collaborating with him on a number of key Association issues, among them the Clinton Administration's Clean Water Action Plan.
Fox Nominated as New Assistant Administrator for Water
Another familiar face to AMSA, Chuck Fox, has been nominated to replace Perciasepe as assistant administrator for the Office of Water. As head of the Office of Reinvention since February 1997, Fox has helped EPA's efforts to make environmental regulation less burdensome and more protective through common-sense, cost-effective reforms. Programs like the Common Sense Initiative and Project XL, which involve collaboration with various stakeholders including AMSA member agencies, are working to find better ways to protect public health and the environment at less cost. It is speculated that Fox's confirmation hearing may take place before the August recess. If confirmed, Fox will be replaced by Jay Benforado, who has served as the deputy associate administrator in the Office of Reinvention.
EPA Holds Development Meeting on Index of Watershed IndicatorsOn July 22-23, AMSA staff attended a National IWI Development Meeting held by EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds. The meeting focused on revising and replacing IWI (Version 1.0), which was released in October 1997, with IWI (Version 2.0). IWI (Version 1.0) was EPA's first comprehensive assessment of the 2,111 watersheds nationwide. The study found the majority of our nation's watersheds, 36%, to be of "moderate" water quality, 21% to be in "serious" jeopardy, and 16% to be of "good" water quality. Sufficient data was lacking on the remaining 27% of watersheds.
The release of IWI (Version 2.0) is scheduled for October 1998. States and tribes are currently reviewing their data and will be submitting comments and recommendations for improvements over the next month. Bob Perciasepe, who attended the meeting, said that while we should recognize the shortcomings of the data, he is confident that quality assurance and quality control will be improved. He also noted that he views IWI as the central place for data information and sharing. "This is a powerful tool to build national consensus for action on what is causing these watersheds to be impaired," said Perciasepe. AMSA members are urged to review their watershed data currently on IWI and to submit comments or recommendations to EPA as soon as possible. A preliminary version of the new database, IWI (Version 1.5), will be available for public review on August 15. You can review your watershed data on EPA's web site at: http://www.epa.gov/surf/iwi.
ØIndividuals planning to attend AMSA's upcoming Public Affairs Seminar are reminded that August 7 is the hotel reservation cut-off date for the special group rate at the Providence Marriott in Rhode Island. To assure a room at the special AMSA room rate, please contact the hotel at 1-800/937-7768 or 401/272-2400. A second flyer for the seminar, Risky Business . . . Effectively Communicating Risk, Reality & Reform was forwarded to members this week. For more information on the seminar, contact AMSA at 202/833-2672. For online information and registration visit AMSA's web site at: http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/mtgs/pubaff/info.cfm.