Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - January 25, 2002
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January 25, 2002
AMSA, WIN Launch Key Water Infrastructure Funding PR Effort
The Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) and AMSA are launching a major public relations campaign on behalf of water infrastructure legislation. As Congress returned to work this week in the nation's capital, WIN placed a hard-hitting ad (see left) in Roll Call, the leading congressional newspaper, calling on Congress to fund water infrastructure now. Also, in the weeks ahead AMSA and other WIN members will meet with congressional communications directors to garner further support and strengthen the ongoing grassroots campaign. AMSA members are encouraged to use the ad in their efforts to garner Congress' support. The ad can be downloaded at http://win-water.org/winad.jpg.
AMSA, EPA, Environmental Groups Reach Agreement,
Dioxin in Land-Applied Biosolids Rule Deadline to Be Extended
This week, AMSA reached a key agreement with environmental groups and EPA that when finalized and approved by EPA and Justice Department officials, and an Oregon court, will significantly extend the deadline for EPA to finalize regulations for dioxins in land-applied biosolids. The additional time will allow the Agency to give the public notice and comment opportunities on new information on dioxins in biosolids, including AMSA's 2000/2001 Survey of Dioxin-Like Compounds in Biosolids. The agreement's details are privileged and confidential until it is finalized. Because AMSA's Survey demonstrates a significant decline in dioxin-like compounds in biosolids, and average concentrations well below the limit proposed by EPA in 1999, it was important that EPA consider this information along with its own new data. AMSA will also be monitoring EPA's finalization of a new dioxin cancer value due to be released in Spring 2002 that could affect a final dioxin in biosolids rule. EPA's revised risk assessment for dioxins in biosolids will also be evaluated by AMSA to ensure it is scientifically sound. Details about the settlement will be available to members in the coming weeks.
AMSA Outlines Priorities for Proposed Water Trading Program
With EPA preparing to issue a draft water quality trading proposal in mid-February, AMSA this week sent the Agency a list of publicly owned treatment work (POTW) concerns and requisite components for a plan that POTWs can support. The trading program would provide incentives for voluntary trading among watershed pollutant sources and would ultimately become part of EPA's upcoming total maximum daily load proposed rule. Among other important issues, AMSA's list advances the POTW position that any trading program must be equitable to all watershed pollutant sources - point and nonpoint - and that trading should only be an option after pollutant load allocations are developed. AMSA will remain actively involved in the stakeholder process to ensure that POTW concerns are fully incorporated in the trading program. The letter is available at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/012202batchelor_letter.pdf.