Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - January 9, 2004
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January 9, 2004
AMSA Continues Push on Blending with Comment Period Extended for EPA Policy
In light of the fact that EPA has extended its deadline for comment submission by 30 days, from January 9 to February 9, AMSA has stepped up efforts in support of EPA’s November 7, 2003 proposed blending policy and has taken several steps in its effort to gain political and stakeholder support for the policy. The EPA policy has come under fire from activist organizations seeking to use it as part of their political, anti-administration agenda. Activist groups initiated a letter (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/2003-12-18anit-blendingletter.pdf) from Representative Frank Pallone (R-NJ), soliciting signatures throughout Congress in favor of prohibiting the practice of blending. Among the false claims in the letter is that blending constitutes “a dangerous and environmentally harmful approach that threatens public health over safer alternatives.” To inform key members of Congress of the environmental and economic importance of blending to the nation’s communities, AMSA has scheduled over 15 meetings in the next two weeks with high ranking members of Congress, including various potential signatories to the Pallone letter. AMSA has already met with staff from Ohio Democratic representative Sherrod Brown’s office, as well as with staff from Rep. Nita Lowy’s (D-NY) office — both signatories of the activist letter. AMSA will also meet next week with key staff from Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert’s (R-IL) office and House Appropriations Committee Chair, C.W. Bill Young (R-FL), as well several key Senators and many Republican leaders to express the importance of the policy and to clarify erroneous information given by activist groups. AMSA also strongly urges Association members to contact their Members of Congress and EPA officials on this critical issue.AMSA has also learned that Representatives Don Young (R-AK), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Tom Davis (R-VA), Chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, and Doug Ose (R-CA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy Policy, National Resources and Regulatory Affairs, prepared a letter (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/2004-01-07Blending_letter.pdf) to EPA Administrator, Michael Leavitt, supporting the policy “as an important step towards a reasonable and protective means for addressing peak wet weather flows at POTWs. The final policy should clarify that, as long as existing regulatory requirements and NPDES permit limits are met, blending constitutes an environmentally safe practice.”
AMSA Urges Members to Make Strong Comment Effort, Municipal Coalition Letter Shows Pro-Blending Support
The Association urges members to submit comments supporting EPA’s blending policy by the February 9, 2004 deadline. AMSA has solicited input from the membership and has drafted its comments (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/2003-01-09BlendingComments.doc). Member agencies should feel free to use the Association’s comments in whole or in part. The comments are provided in Microsoft Word so that you can “cut and paste” as you see fit. To submit comments on EPA’s blending policy send an e-mail to OW-Docket@epa.gov and insert the docket number, OW-2003-0025 in the subject line. Please refer to the Federal Register for additional faxing and mailing information (http://www.epa.gov/npdes/regulations/blending_fr_notice.pdf). AMSA has also taken the lead in developing a coalition letter on blending, to be sent to Leavitt and Capitol Hill on behalf of finalizing the draft blending policy. This letter has already been signed onto by the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties and other regional and national groups, with additional groups expected to sign on soon. The coalition letter will be delivered and made available to AMSA members next week. Through this effort AMSA hopes to re-emphasize the importance of moving forward with the policy. If you have any questions regarding the blending policy or how to submit comments, please contact Chris Hornback at AMSA’s National office at 202/833-9106 or chornback@amsa-cleanwater.org.