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April 9, 1999
May Policy Forum Shaping Up At Crucial Time For AMSA
AMSA's May 22-26 National Environmental Policy Forum in Washington, DC will provide an excellent opportunity for the Association to make substantial headway on its legislative and regulatory goals for 1999 and beyond. The conference, titled Clean Water in the New Millennium . . . The Shape of Things to Come, will lay important groundwork for AMSA's participation in the future of the nation's clean water program, offering members the chance to build relationships with their congressional delegation and key EPA officials and staff.AMSA members' high level of engagement with the issues and their outreach to Congress and EPA will add momentum to several important AMSA legislative and public outreach activities. The AMSA/WEF Cost of Clean release, the Urban Wet Weather Watershed Act of 1999 and AMSA's nonpoint source pollution public outreach and education efforts will bring the Association's priority legislative issues to the forefront at both the national and local levels. The Forum will also provide opportunities to make contact with key EPA staff and officials. AMSA members can offer their local perspective and expertise to their congressional representatives and EPA throughout the meeting and during Capitol Hill visits. At the first-ever Regulatory and Legislative Strategy Briefing on the afternoon of Sunday, May 23, AMSA will provide all the background necessary for members to engage EPA and Congress on the top issues.
Many lawmakers and legislative staff have indicated their willingness to attend the Forum. Most notably to date, Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) will attend AMSA's Capitol Hill Reception along with Robert Borski (D-PA), who will address the National Achievement Awards Luncheon on Monday, May 24. Key Capitol Hill staff will also brief AMSA members on the outlook for clean water legislation and other issues on Tuesday morning.
AMSA's May conference features an extremely strong regulatory component. EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Chuck Fox will deliver the opening keynote of the meeting, and, on May 25, a panel discussion on regulatory policy will include the directors of EPA offices, including the Offices of Wastewater Management; Science and Technology; Enforcement; and Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds. Technical Roundtables will conclude the meeting, giving AMSA members an opportunity to discuss the latest developments on several water quality issues with key EPA staff. These issues include TMDLs, the CSO policy, SSO enforcement, WET testing, and pretreatment streamlining.
Heads Up . . .
The national office has already received numerous registrations for the National Environmental Policy Forum. The hotel cut-off date is April 30, but it's wise to book early because Washington, DC is a popular destination in May. Members are urged to register today.Attention AMSA Affiliate Members . . .
AMSA is rounding out its agenda for the summer conference in Philadelphia, Unifying Urban Wet Weather Programs, July 20-23, and invites you to provide recommendations for presentations regarding cutting edge wet weather control technologies. The agenda for the summer conference features an Emerging Technologies Workshop on innovative approaches to controlling wet weather discharges. If you have a recommendation, please notify Mark Hoeke via e-mail at mhoeke@amsa-cleanwater.org by Wednesday morning, April 14.