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January 30, 1998

AMSA Focuses on POTW Liability under Superfund as '98 Legislative Priority

AMSA this week finalized a new issue paper, Clarifying Congressional Intent to Exclude POTWs from Liability under Superfund. The paper will serve as a valuable tool in revitalizing the Association’s efforts on this issue and refocusing Members of Congress on the need to address this matter during the final year of the 105th Congress. AMSA staff visited Congressional offices this week to urge Congress to amend the Superfund statute. Specifically, AMSA is recommending that Congress clarify prior law and intent by specifically exempting POTWs from the statute's definition of "facility."

H.R.2727, Superfund Reauthorization legislation introduced by Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources & Environment may be the 105th Congress’ best bet for reauthorizing the statute. Late in the 104th and early in the 105th Congress, AMSA set its sites on a amendment to the definition of "owner/operator" within the legislation as the most appropriate fix to the issue of POTW liability. Recent developments and information gleaned since introduction of H.R.2727, have resulted in a shift in AMSA’s focus to amending the definition of "facility." AMSA’s new issue paper demonstrates clear Congressional intent to include pipes discharging into wastewater collection systems, but not the publicly owned wastewater collection systems themselves.

The issue paper was forwarded to AMSA members today via Legislative Alert 98-1. We expect that Congressional leaders will make reauthorization of Superfund an early priority. AMSA will be calling on a number of AMSA members to contact Representatives and Senators on the issue of POTW liability.

AMSA Releases Competitiveness Handbook

On Monday, AMSA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies will release Thinking, Getting and Staying Competitive: A Public Sector Handbook. The collaborative publication is a valuable tool to guide public utility managers and staff through a competitive process. Detailed steps for improving competitiveness, and seven keys to maintaining the competitive edge are provided. The Handbook's model process will guide utilities through competitive change, and four case studies describe best-practices exercised by utilities that have successfully undergone the competitive transition.

The Handbook will also serve as the foundation for AMSA’s Winter Conference next week in San Antonio, Texas. The conference, Thinking, Getting & Staying Competitive, has already broken attendance records. Member agencies will receive their complimentary copy of the Handbook next week via Member Update 98-3. Complimentary copies will also be provided to all conference registrants. Additional copies are available for a fee from the National Office or at http://www.amsa-cleanwater .org.

 

On Jan. 27-29, the National Water-Quality Monitoring Council held its second plenary meeting to discuss opportunities for improvement in data management, data sharing, and communication among federal agencies (e.g., EPA, USGS, NOAA), states, and local data gathering sources (e.g., municipalities, local groups). Also, several workgroups of the National Council met to outline issues concerning: TMDL monitoring, source water assessments, stream gauging, and analytical methods. The goal of the National Council is to improve both ambient and compliance water-quality monitoring and assessment nationwide.

There will be no FaxAlert on Friday, February 30 due to the AMSA Winter Conference.