Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - November 11, 2005
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for the FaxAlert ArchiveNovember 11, 2005
Wastewater Security Bill Introduced in Senate
This week four Minority Senators on the Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee, led by Ranking Member James Jeffords (I-VT), introduced the Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act of 2005 (S.1995). The legislation mandates that all wastewater facilities in the United States, regardless of size, conduct vulnerability assessments, develop site security and emergency response plans, and consider alternative approaches to potentially high risk treatment methods. The bill would provide $250 million in grant funding for assistance in completing these assessments and response plans while also providing assistance to small treatment works. The legislation would also authorize $15 million for research to identify threats, detection methods and response actions. The information culled from these assessments would then be required to be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Committee Majority opposes new mandates and, as a result, this legislation is unlikely to move forward. NACWA staff met with Minority EPW staff regarding the bill this week and expressed concerns regarding the broad-brush approach being taken and noted the importance of reimbursement of those utilities who have already taken action. The Association recommended limiting requirements if funding were not appropriated – a likely scenario given the current budget deficit – and the need to look more at response and recovery issues rather than unnecessary mandates on assessments and planning.In line with its meetings with EPW staff, NACWA’s initial review of the legislation as introduced confirms that the bill fails to recognize the fact that many of our nation’s wastewater facilities have voluntarily undertaken both security assessments and upgrades. Additionally, it does not acknowledge the compelling body of studies, reports, and tools – developed since the Bioterrorism Act – that inform, support and promote increased security throughout the water sector. NACWA has taken the position that while legislative attention to, and support of, the security needs of the nation’s wastewater treatment facilities is appropriate, a more directed approach, advised by the evolution of thinking on this issue since 9-11-01, is in order. NACWA, through its Security and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will work with the full EPW Committee to provide legislative recommendations as they consider the security needs of clean water utilities, nationwide.
2005 Law Seminar Demonstrates Benefits
of High-Level Talks on Legal, Policy Challenges
The 2005 Law Seminar, held this week in Santa Fe, N.M., provided public agency attorneys and managers an excellent opportunity to meet and discuss current legal, regulatory and policy issues. Speakers covered topics including use attainability analyses (UAAs), total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and biosolids management. In-depth discussions were held on whole effluent toxicity (WET), the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and enforcement trends. The preliminary reaction from attendees was that all topics addressed were relevant and practical. Luncheon Speaker John Horning, executive director of Forest Guardians, provided a dynamic address challenging attendees to view their responsibilities toward our nation’s waters as an ethical and moral obligation. The Communications Workshop also provided attendees an opportunity to test key messages and strategies for reaching out to the public. Speaker presentations will be available next week on NACWA’s Conference & Meetings webpage (http://www.nacwa.org/meetings/) and a more detailed review of the Seminar will be included in the December/January issue of the Clean Water News.Make Your Plans to Attend NACWA’s
2006 Winter Conference Today
NACWA’s 2006 Winter Conference, Improving Knowledge Management in Today’s Utility, will take place in Palm Desert, Calif., January 31 – February 3. This year’s conference will examine the optimal methods for today’s clean water utilities to create, capture, share and leverage the knowledge they need to excel. The Association encourages members to reserve their hotel rooms today by calling the J.W. Marriott Palm Desert at 760/341-2211. Be sure to mention you are attending NACWA’s Winter Conference to receive the special room rate of $225 single/double. Online registration will be available on the Association’s Conference & Meetings webpage (http://www.nacwa.org/meetings/) next week.