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September 25, 1998
AMSA's Board and Leadership Meet in Washington
On September 24-25, AMSA's Board of Directors and Committee Leadership gathered in Washington for a series of meetings, including an afternoon of discussions with various clean water stakeholders based in Washington, D.C. On Thursday, representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Offices of Wastewater Management, Science & Technology, Wetland, Oceans & Watersheds, and Groundwater & Drinking Water updated attendees on their offices' activities then responded to questions from the audience. Jim Hanlon, deputy director of EPA's Office of Science & Technology, told AMSA that Mercury Method 1631, which was proposed in May, is expected to be promulgated in February 1999. In July, when AMSA submitted comments on Method 1631, the Association expressed concerns with the method's cost of implementation and accuracy. AMSA also requested that EPA revive, validate, and approve Method 245.7 for the measurement of mercury as a viable alternative to Method 1631. Hanlon indicated that EPA plans to move forward and complete validation of Method 245.7, but that the Agency needs labs to do parallel validation studies of the method and is seeking AMSA's participation in this process. Eight AMSA member agency labs will participate in this process and the Association will request that EPA expedite the studies so that both methods can be promulgated in February
Nonpoint Source Community Discusses Water Quality Issues with Members
Also on Thursday, AMSA's leadership met with representatives from the nonpoint source community including the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Pork Producers Council, and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. Among the topics discussed were the joint EPA/U.S. Department of Agriculture strategy for animal feeding operations, the critical need for funding for water quality programs in light of Congress' poor funding of the agricultural side of the Clean Water Action Plan, and better data and science in determining total maximum daily loads. Look for more information on these and other discussions held at the AMSA Fall Board & Leadership Meetings with representatives from Capitol Hill, states, and environmental groups in the October issue of the AMSA Clean Water News.
AMSA to Testify on Y2K
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has requested AMSA's participation in an October 7 hearing on the status of efforts and preparedness of the nation's major infrastructure sectors in addressing computer problems related to the Year 2000 (Y2K). AMSA will participate in a panel at the hearing with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), and the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Results of AMSA's June 1998 Y2K survey will be presented to the Committee along with an overview of anticipated additional data expected as a result of a follow-up survey to be distributed to the membership early next week.
October 12 Hotel Cut-Off Date for AMSA/AMWA Law Seminar
Monday, October 12 is the cut-off date for the special room rate at the Hyatt Islandia Hotel in San Diego, California for AMSA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)'s upcoming seminar, Developments in Water & Wastewater Law - A Seminar for Public Agency Attorneys. Topics to be addressed at the November 12-13 seminar, which offers CLE credits for participants, include: Privatization or Substantial Reorganization of Water and Wastewater Utilities, Legal Issues Arising from the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, Litigation Issues & Initiatives, Toxic Torts, and Emerging Issues Facing Water & Wastewater Utilities. Members can contact the hotel at 1-800-233-1234 or 619/224-1234. Preliminary seminar and registration information were forwarded to the membership via Legal Alert 98-6, and a detailed program flyer will soon be distributed. Online seminar registration and information can be found under the Conferences & Meetings section of AMSA's web site http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/mtgs/lglaffairs/info.cfm