Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - August 17, 2001
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August 17, 2001
Draft Letters, Lobby Your Congressmen. . .
Water Infrastructure Funding Gains Momentum on Hill
AMSA’s and the Water Infrastructure Network’s efforts are paying off in the nation’s capital, as legislators are poised to draft bipartisan legislation on water infrastructure funding this Congressional session. Much work, however, remains to be done, and AMSA urges all its members to meet with their Congressional delegates, who are home for the August recess until Labor Day, to discuss this key issue. Members of Congress have told AMSA that their votes for increased water infrastructure funding hinge on local grassroots support. Several of you have helped the grassroots effort by signing an AMSA-drafted template Letter to the Editor, containing bracketed spaces for you to insert key local information, for placement in your local newspapers. But, we are at a significant juncture in this effort and need all of your support. Please send a copy of your letter to your local newspapers and to Adam Krantz at akrantz@amsa-cleanwater.org or call 202/833-4651. The letter is available at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/amsalettertotheeditor.doc.
AMSA Urges Hill To Protect Water Quality in Farm Bill
In a letter to key Representatives this week, AMSA urged support for H.R. 2375, the Working Lands Stewardship Act of 2001, which provides $2 billion to address the adverse national water quality impacts of agricultural runoff. H.R. 2375 has broad support among a large number of Representatives and stakeholders, and AMSA believes it stands a strong chance of being incorporated into the House’s final version of the Farm Bill. As AMSA’s letter states, "H.R. 2375 would encourage long overdue investments in nonpoint source controls . . . . To achieve this needed improvement in water quality, we suggest that . . . priority be given to projects located on or proximate to the many impaired waterbodies in this country." AMSA will continue its efforts on the farm bill and in other regulatory and legislative arenas to secure federal support of nonpoint source pollution controls. AMSA’s letter to the House can be viewed at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/8-16-01hr2375letter.pdf
EPA Considering Rollback of TMDL Rule’s Key Nonpoint Controls
According to articles in the trade press, and statements made by EPA officials at a recent state conference, EPA seems willing to overturn provisions in the controversial July 2000 total maximum daily load (TMDL) rule requiring states to develop implementation plans limiting discharges of pollutants from nonpoint sources. EPA appears to favor an incentive-based, voluntary system that will link the provision of Clean Water Act, ยง 319 grant funds with the development of nonpoint source implementation plans. At the moment, EPA has made no final decisions concerning this matter and the Agency will hold further stakeholder meetings, including meetings with AMSA, on this crucial issue, and other issues pertaining to the Agency’s future actions on the TMDL rule.
- In anticipation of AMSA’s 2001 Water & Wastewater Law Seminar, November 14-16, in Savannah, Georgia, please contact the National Office at 202/833-2672 or info@amsa-cleanwater.org with updated contact information for your in-house or outside counsel, so that we can ensure that they receive all the information to attend this vital seminar. Thank you and we look forward to seeing all of you – attorneys and non-attorneys alike – in Savannah!.