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January 19, 2001

Incoming EPA Chief Prioritizes Water Infrastructure Funding
In U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee confirmation hearings this week, New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, President-Elect Bush’s nominee for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, outlined as one of her top three environmental priorities the need for federal help in upgrading wastewater infrastructure. Whitman’s recognition of local water infrastructure needs is a clear sign of the Bush administration’s support for a major AMSA priority. Clearly, AMSA’s outreach efforts through the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) are beginning to pay substantial dividends. The next few weeks and months will be decisive in addressing the water infrastructure funding gap. As WIN prepares to publish and distribute its recommendations for to the 107^th Congress and the new administration, AMSA members and staff will continue to meet with leaders on Capitol Hill and the new administration to build further support for WATER 21's development and introduction (See "WIN Reaches Landmark Accord," Jan. 12 FaxAlert).

There will be numerous opportunities for AMSA members to aid in the addressing the gap. An AMSA resolution supporting WIN’s recommendations will be proposed at the Association’s Winter Conference in San Diego, Calif. In addition, a strong showing by AMSA members during the Association’s upcoming National Environmental Policy Forum – May 19 - 23 in Washington, DC – will be a crucial factor in the ultimate success of the initiative.

AMSA Supports Investing in Communities Initiative
As Washington, DC prepares to inaugurate the United States of America’s 43^rd President, AMSA joined at the National Press Club with a number of other influential national organizations in urging the incoming administration to invest in the nation’s communities. AMSA president William Pugh used the opportunity to draw attention to AMSA’s funding initiative and issued a statement, which asserted that, "The foundation of healthy communities rests upon sound water services. But enormous water infrastructure funding needs loom ahead and threaten to erode that foundation."

Virginia Supreme Court Strikes Down County Biosolids Ban
In a clear court victory that could have positive ramifications for municipal biosolids programs across the country, the Virginia Supreme Court has struck down a county ordinance banning the land application of biosolids (Blanton et. al. v. Amelia County et. al., No. 000277). The court found that the county board of supervisors exceeded its authority by instituting the ban. The county ordinance was in clear violation of the state constitution which prohibits the enactment of ordinances that are inconsistent with Commonwealth of Virginia law. The case was flagged as important to POTWs by AMSA Legal Affairs Committee Chair Chris Westoff because the precedent could afford protection to state-permitted land-application programs. The significance of this case will be highlighted at both the Legal Affairs and Biosolids Management Committee meetings during AMSA’s 2001 Winter Conference in San Diego, Calif. AMSA LegalAlert 01-01 will contain analysis and a copy of the decision.