Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - August 3, 2001
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August 3, 2001
Senate Environmental Panel Approves Five EPA Nominees
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) this week approved five nominees for high-level EPA posts, a move that bodes well for their ultimate confirmation by the full Senate. EPW unanimously approved the nominations of George Tracy Mehan III for Assistant Administrator (AA) of the Office of Water, Judith Elizabeth Ayres for AA of the Office of International Activities, and Jeffrey Holmstead for AA of the Office of Air and Radiation. Donald Schregardus, nominee for AA of enforcement and compliance assistance, was also approved but received "no" votes from Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jon Corzine (D-NJ), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA). At press time, no date had been set for a Senate floor vote on the nominations. AMSA continues to support the soonest possible Senate vote on these key nominees and also has invited Mehan and Schregardus to attend our Fall Leadership Retreat & Strategy Session in September.
AMSA Members Send Clear Message To Congress, EPA On SSOs
Anticipating that the sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) issue will be among the first to be taken up by the Office of Water staff upon Mehan’s confirmation as AA for water, AMSA’s members are sending a clear message to Mehan and Congress that the draft SSO regulatory package, developed by the Browner EPA but not yet proposed, requires several key changes. Based on discussions with senior Office of Water staff, EPA has not yet decided on a final course of action, but is inclined to publish the Browner proposal without modifications, making the input of the very communities impacted by this rule so crucial at this juncture. AMSA’s members this week began sending SSO letters to Mehan and their Congressional delegations, expressing concern with the proposed rule, including its failure to ensure adequate legal protection for POTWs who employ CMOMs and with the rule’s absolute prohibition on all overflows, even when unavoidable. The effectiveness of this effort, however, relies on sheer numbers, so AMSA urges each and every member to send these critical letters as soon as possible. AMSA will continue meeting with EPA officials and urge the Agency to make these needed changes. See http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/cc.cfm for the sample letter.
AMSA Ramps Up Efforts On Nonpoint Controls, Eyes Farm Bill
With the Clinton-era July 2000 TMDL rule currently under review by EPA, AMSA is ramping up its efforts to support additional measures to control pollution from nonpoint sources. One such measure is the next reauthorization of the farm bill, which is rapidly becoming the focus of key conservation efforts, including water quality protections. Under discussion for inclusion in the final version of the farm bill are provisions of the Working Lands Stewardship Act of 2001, H.R. 2375, which would set aside $1 billion to protect water quality, and provide incentives for the agricultural community to implement nonpoint source controls. AMSA will begin its advocacy efforts on the farm bill, and explore other potential avenues that promote meaningful nonpoint source pollution controls.
- At press time, AMSA had just concluded fruitful meetings with EPA officials in an effort to find a workable alternative solution to the Agency’s embattled Metal Products & Machinery proposed rule. More details to come on AMSA’s homepage on Monday!