Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - September 14, 2001
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September 14, 2001
| On behalf of AMSA and its membership, the Association extends its profound sympathy to the victims of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks and to their families and loved ones. Our prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of national anguish and mourning. In response to these attacks, AMSA has postponed meetings of its leadership scheduled in D.C. for Sept. 20-21 until a later date. AMSA’s Board, however, will meet via teleconference as scheduled so that AMSA’s important work can continue uninterrupted. |
AMSA Comments on EPA’s Proposal to Delay TMDL Rule
This week AMSA provided comments in support of EPA’s proposed 18 month delay of the effective date of the July 13, 2000 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rule. The delay is intended to allow EPA to evaluate the recent National Research Council review of the program and to conduct a stakeholder dialogue on methods for improving the TMDL program. AMSA’s comments recommend that this public discussion focus on regulating nonpoint source polluters, increasing the transparency of the listing and delisting process for impaired waterbodies, promoting state development of water quality standards, and developing interim permitting guidance to allow existing permit limits to be upheld during the period until TMDLs are complete. EPA intends to finalize new TMDL rules, replacing the July 2000 rules, by April 2003. AMSA will continue working with EPA and other stakeholders to ensure these issues get full and fair consideration during the review process. AMSA’s comments are available online at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/9-10-01commentstoEPA.pdf.
AMSA Steps Up Efforts on Meat Products Effluent Guidelines
AMSA met this week with EPA Office of Science and Technology (OST) Director Geoff Grubbs about the forthcoming proposed effluent limitations guidelines (ELG) on meat products to discuss the concerns of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). Of primary concern is the possibility that, under the ELG, meat facilities may be required to perform secondary treatment with biological nutrient removal (BNR) before discharging to the POTWs – a potentially duplicative process that will also result in a loss of POTW revenue from secondary treatment services. Grubbs told AMSA that no decision has been made on the rule’s ultimate form, but committed his staff to providing AMSA with regular updates as progress is made on the proposal. AMSA will keep its members current on further discussions with EPA.
EPA Issues Guidance on State Nonpoint Source Grants
EPA published guidance this week for awarding states Clean Water Act §319 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Grants in Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003. The guidance is intended to promote the use of § 319 dollars to assist in the implementation of NPS total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). AMSA believes the guidance shows EPA’s altered position on NPS implementation plans, from requirements under the July 2000 TMDL rule to nonregulatory encouragement to states under these guidelines – available at http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/Section319/fy2002.html. More information will be provided in the next Regulatory Update.