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Destination DC

2001 National Environmental Policy Forum & 31^st Annual Meeting
The New Political Landscape...Moving the POTW Agenda Forward
May 19 - 23, 2001
Marriott at Metro Center
Washington, DC

The spotlight will be on Washington, DC as AMSA sets the stage for its 2001 National Environmental Policy Forum & 31st Annual Meeting, May 19 - 23. This year’s forum, The New Political Landscape . . . Moving the POTW Agenda Forward, will focus on AMSA’s regulatory and legislative priorities, which are now before the new Administration and 107th Congress.

As AMSA prepares for the 2001 National Environmental Policy Forum, our nation’s policymakers are taking a close look at many of the Association’s priority issues – water infrastructure funding, wet weather initiatives and total maximum daily loads prominent among them. The current high level of interest in publicly owned treatment works (POTW) priorities makes it absolutely essential that AMSA heighten its presence in Washington through member participation in the Policy Forum. Never has there been a better opportunity for POTWs from across the country to secure support for initiatives sure to reap tangible benefits for both water quality and citizens nationwide.

Plan now to attend the Policy Forum. Learn the current outlook for national clean water policy issues and do your part to move the POTW agenda forward — May 19 - 23, 2001.

 
Committee Meetings/Issues Briefing Set Stage for Week Ahead
On May 19 - 20, numerous AMSA committees will meet and the Association will host a Priorities Issues Briefing for meeting attendees. All are urged to attend these informative sessions designed to provide valuable information on legislative and regulatory priority issues and to ready members for the week ahead.

 
Administration & Congressional Leaders to Address Forum
A new Administration and Congress brings new faces in key positions and within the leadership of congressional committees. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christine Todd Whitman has been invited to deliver the Policy Forum’s opening Keynote Address on May 21st. Whitman’s fresh views on many clean water regulatory issues will lay the groundwork for remarks by key EPA and Office of Management & Budget directors, attorneys and program managers throughout the Policy Forum.

Many of the new leaders of the 107th Congress have also been invited to share their priorities and perspectives with those in attendance. The leadership of key congressional committees also serve as leaders of the House Water Infrastructure Caucus – and many will be on hand to strengthen the alliance between POTWs and Capitol Hill as we work to secure infrastructure funding using the Water Infrastructure Network’s report, Water Infrastructure Now: Recommendations for Clean and Safe Water in the 21st Century (WINow), as our guide.

 
Hill Visits & WINow Rally Bring POTW Message Home
On May 22nd time has been set aside for Association members to visit Capitol Hill and EPA’s national headquarters. Be sure to make the most of this opportunity to meet with national clean water policymakers. The National Office can help facilitate appointments, and an upcoming Legislative Alert will provide additional information on scheduling face-to-face meetings with congressional delegations and government officials.

Later that afternoon Forum attendees will join members of the House of Representatives’ Water Infrastructure Caucus as we rally for ‘Water Infrastructure Now’ and come together for a Capitol Hill reception in the Rayburn House Office Building’s Gold Room.

 
Special Events Complement Policy Agenda
AMSA’s 2001 National Environmental Policy Forum also serves as the setting for the presentation of the Association’s National Environmental Achievement and Peak Performance awards. This year AMSA will honor individuals, projects, programs and facilities – all of which exemplify the best of the clean water community – at the Association’s annual awards luncheon.

As an added bonus, The Capitol Steps, a nationally-known political satire group, will perform in a dinner theater-style setting during the President’s Reception Buffet on May 21st. The Capitol Steps are sure to provide the ‘inside scoop’ on how Washington ‘really works’ with humorous skits and songs spotlighting names in the news. Take a comic relief break — this is one event you won’t want to miss!

 
Make the Most of Your Visit to Our Nation’s Capital
Spring in Washington, DC provides the perfect setting for visits to beautiful monuments, famous museums and world-renowned restaurants. To help plan your visit, AMSA has provided links through www.amsa-cleanwater.org to help make your visit to the nation’s capital a memorable one.