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June 15, 2000
Summer Conference Hotel Deadline Extended
The deadline to receive the special hotel rate for AMSA's 2000 summer conference has been extended by one day to 5:00pm eastern time June 16. Call now to reserve your room for Total Maximum Daily Loads . . . Obstacles or Opportunities? To make hotel reservations prior to the June 16th 5:00pm deadline contact the Camberley Brown Hotel, 800/555-8000 (Central Reservations) or 502/583-1234. Following the June 16th deadline, should you wish to make hotel reservations — or cancel an existing reservation, contact AMSA's Meetings & Conferences Manager Nirah Shapo at 202/833-8418 or nshapo@amsa-cleanwater.org.Gore Campaign Announces Clean Water Infrastructure Fund
This week Al Gore proposed to spend part of the expected federal government's surplus to “offer support to local governments seeking to repair and replace water infrastructure” with a new “National Energy and Environmental Security Trust Fund.” The trust fund is part of a sweeping plan entitled “Securing America's Future: Al Gore's Plan for Expanding Prosperity for America's Families,” which was issued on June 13. The trust fund would also address energy issues including transportation, the cleanup of outdated power generation facilities and incentives for cleaner burning fuels and vehicles. Undoubtedly, AMSA and the Water Infrastructure Network have played a significant role in putting water and wastewater infrastructure on the national agenda. AMSA plans to follow up with both the Gore and Bush campaigns to provide further information on the federal wastewater infrastructure funding gap.AMSA Continues Active TMDL Involvement
AMSA's activities in support of EPA's finalization of revisions of the total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) program continued throughout the week. AMSA sent letters urging each Senator to oppose “any legislative efforts that may interfere with EPA's ability to issue and implement its comprehensive TMDL program revisions.” There were also indications that some of the environmental groups that had called for the withdrawal of the TMDL rule may reverse their position based upon meeting with EPA Administrator Browner this week. Members will be kept apprised of new developments as they occur.AMSA Supports Equipment Cleaning Industry Comments
This week, in a letter to EPA Engineering and Analysis Division Director Sheila Frace, AMSA noted its support of the National Tank Truck Carriers' comments on the proposed Effluent Limitation Guidelines, Pretreatment Standards, and New Source Performance Standards for the Transportation Equipment Cleaning Point Source Category. Noting the recent approach taken by the Agency with respect to industrial laundries, AMSA said that many of the facilities with transportation equipment cleaning are “appropriately regulated under existing pretreatment programs” and are “parts of larger operations adequately overseen by the local POTW.”AMSA Members Encouraged to Meet with Lawmakers . . .
The National Office encourages AMSA members to bring the Water Infrastructure Network's message home by making appointments now to meet with lawmakers while they are in their home districts during the upcoming congressional recess. Most lawmakers will be back home from July 1-9. To obtain further information on how your lawmakers can join the bipartisan House Water Infrastructure Caucus or sample letters, please contact Government Affairs Manager Lee Garrigan at 202/833-4655 or lgarrigan@amsa-cleanwater.org.