Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - February 27, 2004
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February 27, 2004
House Subcommittee Hearing on
EPA Budget Raises Concerns on Funding Cuts
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a February 26 hearing to discuss the administration’s fiscal year 2005 budget priorities of several federal agencies, including EPA. AMSA staff attended the hearing and provided a press release (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/advocacy/releases/022604.cfm) and the Frank Luntz survey analysis (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/advocacy/releases/2004-02-09survey.pdf) to the press and participants, stressing the American public’s support for a national clean water trust fund. John Duncan (R-TN), Chairman of the Subcommittee, stressed the need to continue to fully fund the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) at current levels and voiced his displeasure over the $500 million proposed budget cuts for the SRF. Jerry Costello (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, referred to the Water Infrastructure Network’s (WIN) estimates of a massive water infrastructure funding gap, noting the nation can ill-afford budget cuts.Demonstrating the momentum for a clean water trust fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) sent a memorandum (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/temp/2004-02-26nrdc.pdf) to Congress yesterday, containing the data from AMSA’s Luntz survey analysis and calling for legislation on behalf of a national clean water trust fund. AMSA, in conjunction with WIN, will be working to expand the nationwide coalition of trust fund supporters and will work to draft and introduce legislation this year to create a clean water trust fund. In an effort to further the idea of such a trust fund, AMSA has scheduled a meeting with Senator John Kerry’s (D-MA) campaign advisers for early next month in an effort to inject the clean water funding issue into the upcoming presidential election. AMSA will keep members apprised of further developments on this critical initiative.
AMSA Solicits Proposals
for Decontamination Wastewater Planning Tool
AMSA is moving forward with the development of a "Decontamination Wastewater Acceptance and Treatment Planning Tool" that would offer utilities a protocol for handling contaminated wastewater following a large-scale terrorist attack. The Planning Tool will be customized to address specific contaminants, including chemical, biological, or radiological agents, and will serve as a critical information and planning resource tool for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). AMSA is finalizing its request for proposals (RFP) which will be posted on the Association’s website on Monday, March 1 at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/networking/index.cfm. Please refer to Fax Alert 2-20-04 at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/faxalerts/022004.cfm for more detailed information on the Planning Tool.Save the Date for
AMSA’s Upcoming National Environmental Policy Forum
Mark your calendars and reserve your hotel rooms for AMSA’s 2004 National Environmental Policy Forum and 34th Annual Meeting, Politics, Policy & POTWs, May 22-26, 2004 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. The agenda will be available on AMSA’s website soon and will include exciting and lively roundtables and keynote speakers on issues that affect the daily operations of POTWs nationwide. For example, controversy has swirled around the NRDC’s “Swimming in Sewage” report and the Environmental Defense’s “Eliminating Hometown Hazards” report on POTW use of chlorine gas. The Forum will feature a roundtable with the authors of these reports and key AMSA members who will engage in a constructive discussion on the differing perspectives as to what constitutes responsible environmental stewardship and how to improve the nation’s clean water future. Reserve your hotel room today by calling the Renaissance Hotel, 800-HOTELS-1 or 202/898-9000, to ensure the special room rate of $199 single/double. The deadline for hotel reservations is Wednesday, April 28, 2004. AMSA will be sending a Special Edition FaxAlert on Monday to all AMSA members with a detailed agenda. Registration information is also available on AMSA’s Clean Water on the Web site at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/meetings/04nepf/.