Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - May 13, 2005
Click Here
for the FaxAlert Archive
May 13, 2005
NACWA Urges Members to Contact Representatives
on Anti-Blending Amendment
It is anticipated that, during floor consideration of the House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill, Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Clay Shaw (R-FL) will introduce an amendment that would prevent the EPA from issuing a final Clean Water Act (CWA) blending policy or that would otherwise preclude the practice of blending. It is critical that NACWA members contact their Representative by Tuesday, May 17, and urge them to oppose any blending-related amendments to the FY06 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill during House floor consideration. NACWA has developed a proposed letter for members to personalize and mail or fax to their Representative. The letter can be downloaded at Write Congress Now located on NACWA’s website. For more information, refer to the May 12 SpecialEdition Fax Alert or contact NACWA’s Lee Garrigan at 202/833-4655 or lgarrigan@nacwa.org.House Appropriations Committee Cuts Clean Water Program by $240 Million
The House Appropriations Committee this week passed a Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies’ appropriations bill that would provide EPA with $7.7 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2006, a reduction of $318 million overall for the Agency. The vast majority of the funding reductions were a result of cuts to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) of $241 million or 28 percent (from $1.09 billion to $850 million). Fortunately, NACWA’s efforts – in conjunction with a broad coalition of municipal, state, environmental and stakeholder organizations – were successful in getting lawmakers to add $120 million above the Administration’s request of $730 for the CWSRF in FY 2006. The latest cut to the program comes on the heels of last year’s funding reduction which saw a decrease from $1.35 billion to $1.09 billion. NACWA will continue to advocate on behalf of increased funding for the CWSRF in the short-term and a dedicated clean water trust fund in the long-term. The House bill is slated to be taken up for debate on the floor May 18.Make Plans Now to Attend NACWA’s 2005 Summer Conference
Join your clean water colleagues July 19-22 in Hilton Head for the National Association of Clean Water Agencies’ (NACWA) 2005 Summer Conference – Wastewater Conveyance & Treatment . . .Navigating an Uncertain Regulatory Environment. Even in an uncertain regulatory environment many communities are committing significant dollars to address sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), collection system issues involving maintenance and replacement programs, and obstacles at the community level that include affordability considerations and long-term planning for infrastructure improvements. NACWA’s 2005 Summer Conference will offer an in depth exploration of the current regulatory environment and provide “lessons learned” that can be successfully applied in communities nationwide. Experiences navigating the affordability issue and the world of use attainability analyses will also provide useful insight into how some communities have been able to ensure progress toward realistic and achievable goals.Make your plans now to attend by calling the Westin Hilton Head at 834/681-4000 to reserve your room at the special conference rate of $199 single/double. The deadline to receive the special room rate is Monday, June 27. Online registration and agenda information will be available soon on NACWA’s website. Members should watch for a flyer soon.
- AMSA is now NACWA, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). This name change is accompanied by a new website address (www.nacwa.org) and a streamlined new look. A special thanks goes out to all NACWA members who helped make the name change a reality.