Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - January 10, 2003
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January 10, 2003
Kelly, Tauscher Introduce Wastewater Infrastructure Bill
On January 7, Reps. Sue Kelly (R-NY) and Ellen O. Tauscher (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2003 (H.R. 20, or as it is already being called by some, “H2O”). H2O would provide $25 billion over five years for the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund (SRF) and includes a grant component for “distressed communities” which kicks in if the SRF is funded at $1.4 billion or more. The bill includes controversial Davis-Bacon Act provisions, which require local prevailing wages be paid on projects that receive federal funding. H20 also would provide $10 million per year for four years for technical and financial assistance to treatment works to perform inventories of critical assets, evaluate the condition and performance of assets, and develop plans to maintain and repair treatment works. AMSA believes H2O is an important demonstration that the 108th Congress remains committed to clean water infrastructure funding, and views the bill as furthering progress toward the ultimate goal of a long-term, sustainable funding source for water infrastructure. AMSA will keep members posted on the developments of the H2O bill through future Alerts and Updates.
AMSA Talks WET Implementation with EPA
AMSA met with EPA today to explain the Association’s concerns with the whole effluent toxicity (WET) methods finalized on November 19, 2002. Speaking on behalf of AMSA were Norm LeBlanc, Chief Technical Services, Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Virginia Beach, Va., and Chair of AMSA’s Water Quality Committee, and Jim Pletl, Environmental Scientist at Hampton Roads. LeBlanc and Pletl voiced key concerns, some of which can be mitigated by reasonable WET methods implementation by EPA, regions, and the states, and others of which would require changes to the recently finalized methods. AMSA’s top concerns include: that key elements of the WET test methods run counter to fundamental toxicological approaches; EPA’s improper use of a “zero toxicity” standard; the WET methods’ failure to include data quality objectives allowing POTWs to assess whether they have a good or a poor WET test; and the fact that one WET test failure is generally seen as “reasonable potential” to exceed WET criterion in the future, leading to WET permit limits for POTWs. AMSA informed EPA that the Association will ask its Board of Directors in February to approve the filing of a petition for review of the WET methods in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals by the April 2, 2003 deadline, preserving AMSA’s right to argue WET issues before a court if necessary. We will keep members apprised of further WET developments.
Last Call for Discount Room Rates at AMSA’s Winter Conference
AMSA’s 2003 Winter Conference, The Evolving Public Utility . . . Leading the Workforce of Today, February 4-7, 2003, at the Eldorado Hotel in Santa Fe, N.M., will explore key issues facing all utility managers such as succession planning, implementing a pay-for-performance program, and dealing with the varied and complex issues of race, gender and age that face the modern utility manager. This is AMSA’s last call, urging you to contact the Eldorado Hotel today at 800/955-4455 to get AMSA’s discounted room rate which ends today! More information on the 2003 Winter Conference is posted on AMSA’s Conferences and Meetings web site at www.amsa-cleanwater.org/meetings/ where members can register online for the 2003 Winter Conference. We look forward to seeing you in Santa Fe!