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October 27, 2000

AMSA Distributes Asset Management RFP
This week, AMSA released the request for proposals (RFP) for what will become a major publicly owned treatment works (POTW) competitiveness initiative over the next 18 months – Managing Public Infrastructure Assets to Minimize Cost & Maximize Performance. POTWs nationwide are focusing on achieving ever greater levels of performance and service with increasingly limited resources. The goal of this project is to meet the challenges facing our nation’s communities by guiding and supporting pubic water and wastewater utilities in their efforts to comply with GASB 34 regulations as well as ensure the financial future and viability of public infrastructure systems. In addition, the timing of a project that will enable communities to control or reduce the costs of maintaining their infrastructure assets will gain significance as the 107^th Congress takes up water infrastructure funding legislation in 2001 and beyond (See the Sept. 22, 2000 FaxAlert).

To pursue the initiative, AMSA entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and was awarded grant funding to support the project’s development. All proposals are due by Friday, November 17, 2000. All AMSA affiliates and other parties expressing interest are being forwarded a copy of the RFP, which can also be found on AMSA’s web site at www.amsa-cleanwater.org/networking/networking.cfm.

House Leadership Seeks Incorporation of Wet Weather Bill in Appropriations Measure
The National Office understands that the House is currently eyeing the Labor-Health & Human Services funding bill (H.R. 4577) as a vehicle for bringing the Wet Weather Water Quality Act of 2000 – H.R. 828 – to a floor vote. H.R. 828, a modified version of the AMSA-supported Urban Wet Weather Priorities Act of 2000 (H.R. 3570), would codify the National Combined Sewer Overflow Policy and provide limited funding for a range of municipal wet weather infrastructure and watershed demonstration projects. With the Senate and House agreeing to include the wet weather legislation within the Labor-HHS spending bill, the chances for passage are very good. And while EPA has expressed concerns about the bill, their concerns are not expected to dampen Congressional enthusiasm for moving forward. AMSA and several other municipal organizations sent a letter to all members of Congress today informing them that H.R. 828 is a good first step but that more must be done to address cities’ full range of clean water issues, including infrastructure funding, SSO liability and stormwater clarifications.

AMSA Future Mapping Initiative Final Results Available
Early next week, the National Office will be distributing the executive summary of AMSA’s Future Mapping Final Report to participants and AMSA members via Member Update 00-09. The Future Mapping Initiative was the centerpiece of the Association’s 30^th anniversary initiatives. The initiative was a valuable strategic exercise for AMSA, and the results will be incorporated into AMSA’s long-term strategic plan. Complete copies of the report will be available at AMSA’s web site, www.amsa-cleanwater.org.