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March 27, 1998
States to Identify Priority Watersheds by October 1998
AMSA was in attendance this week when EPA and state water quality officials met in Atlanta to discuss one of the most pressing Action Items from the Administration’s recently released Clean Water Action Plan (see AMSA Regulatory Alerts RA 98-3 and RA 98-5) -- the identification of priority watersheds by October 1998. State environmental agencies and state conservationists are taking a lead to identify these priority watersheds through unified assessments which can highlight those watersheds in most need of restoration or protection. Priority watersheds, once identified, will be targeted for the development of "watershed restoration action strategies" and for new federal resources of $568 million proposed for FY 1999. Issues such as: 1) integration with existing programs; 2) resources needed and short time frame to perform assessments; 3) stakeholder involvement; 4) flexibility to modify priority lists; and, 5) coordination with other federal and state agencies were discussed. EPA has organized an ad-hoc group of federal agency and state representatives to develop a guidance for states in performing unified watershed assessments and in priority-setting. The guidance is expected to be released in early May 1998.
EPA Highlights Water Agency Concerns with Impaired Waters Listing
In discussions with states concerning unified watershed assessments, EPA highlighted a major concern recently expressed by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) members during their Legislative/Regulatory Conference held in Washington, DC this past week. AMWA members are concerned that states have not been adequately addressing vulnerability of source waters, and have concentrated efforts only where there have been Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) violations in finished waters. EPA indicated in its discussion that AMWA is interested in working with EPA and states on this issue and will be reviewing state’s lists (i.e., list of priority watersheds, 303[d]lists, and 305[b] list) to ensure threats to drinking water systems are considered and not avoided in these listing processes.
Federal Agencies to Hold Regional Meetings on Clean Water Action Plan
As part of an interagency effort to perform outreach and build momentum for Clean Water Action Plan implementation, the assistant administrators/secretaries from EPA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of the Interior, and the Army Corps of Engineers, will be holding six regional public meetings and press conferences in mid-April. The purpose of the meetings will be to ensure broad understanding of the Action Plan’s content and to hold an open dialogue concerning the direction and implementation of the Plan’s key Action Items. No firm dates have been set, but a tentative schedule for the meetings is as follows: Denver - April 14th; Portland, Oregon - April 15th; San Francisco - April 16th; Boston - April 21st; Dallas - April 23rd or 24th; Chicago - April 22nd, 23rd, or 24th. AMSA will apprise the membership when meeting times and locations have been finalized.
AMSA May Policy Forum to Focus on Action Plan/Clean Water Initiatives
With the theme, Implementing the Administration’s Clean Water Initiative, AMSA’s 1998 National Environmental Policy Forum, to be held from May 16-20 in Washington DC, will highlight key issues and action items from the Clean Water Action Plan. The Policy Forum will give members the rare opportunity to meet the national environmental leaders responsible for the creation, implementation, and funding of the Action Plan. AMSA Member Update MU 98-7 provides details on the Policy Forum’s agenda as well as registration information.
Ø AMSA learned this week that EPA has decided to withdraw its proposed rule for maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard POTWs under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. In light of recent evidence provided by AMSA, EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards has said it will resubmit a new rule at a later time. (See AMSA FaxAlert 2-27-98 for more information on AMSA's recent negotiations with EPA on this issue.)