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September 5, 1997

Congress Returns From Recess, Considers Funding Legislation
Legislators returned to Washington, DC this week after a month-long recess and resumed work on finalizing fiscal year 1998 appropriations. Prior to recessing, both the House and Senate approved funding bills for the Environmental Protection Agency. Unlike in the recent past, this year's appropriation for the Agency is free of controversy and should be approved by the President prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year on October 1. The House approved $7.2 billion, while the Senate approved $6.9 for the Agency for FY 1998. These numbers are less than those requested by the Clinton Administration, but more than was agreed to for FY 1997. AMSA, along with the Public Agencies for Audit Reform (PAAR) was able to secure language in the House Committee Report that protect POTWs from second guessing during construction grant audits. The National Office will monitor the progress of both bills as they head to Conference later this month. Also on the Congressional schedule for the month of September is reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and serious consideration of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund).

National Biosolids Management Partnership Meets
Representatives of AMSA, WEF, and EPA met on August 28 to review proposed plans for the creation of a national biosolids management partnership, which included defining its goal, partnership representation, mission, structure and staffing, program elements, funding, and implementation timetable. Following the completion of the revised partnership language, the proposed management group is scheduled to meet in October at WEFTEC'97 in Chicago. The national biosolids partnership is expected to be inaugurated in January 1998.

EPA to Circulate "Blueprint" For National SSO Policy
Efforts at EPA are continuing to resolve internal headquarters and regional differences on proposed SSO policies developed by EPA's SSO Advisory Committee. Results of the internal EPA discussions, including whether EPA plans to develop regulatory language which limits liability for "unavoidable SSOs" will be known within the next few weeks, as EPA plans to release a "blueprint" for the national policy to the Regions and states. The "blueprint" will include an outline for an interim permitting approach on SSOs and proposed regulatory changes. Subsequently, a more detailed policy language will be issued to Regions, states, and stakeholder groups for review prior to the next meeting of EPA's Federal Advisory Committee, which is now expected to be held sometime in late 1997.

Look for AMSA's special supplement next week in the September 8, Engineering News­Record (ENR) magazine. The supplement, titled, "Choosing Competitiveness: The Reinvention Revolution in Wastewater Management" focuses on competitiveness and changing management philosophies at publicly owned treatment works.