Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - November 19, 2004
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November 24, 2004
AMSA Efforts Impact EPA Budget,
Momentum Gained Toward Trust Fund Legislation
Congress passed the budget for EPA as part of a $388.4 billion omnibus package last weekend, slashing the Agency’s overall funding by $277 million. The vast majority of the funding reductions were obtained by cutting the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) by about $250 million, from $1.35 billion to approximately $1.1 billion for fiscal year 2005. The final omnibus package did, however, include $980,000 for the important work of the National Biosolids Partnership for FY 05. Also incorporated by reference into the bill, was AMSA-supported combined sewer overflow (CSO) language clarifying that permits, not enforcement, are the preferred way to implement EPA’s CSO Control Policy. AMSA’s efforts, in conjunction with a broad coalition of organizations, were also critical in avoiding even deeper cuts to the CWSRF and helped avoid the House and the Administration’s proposed $500 million reduction to the program.In response to the funding cut, the Association sent out a press release (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/advocacy/releases/112304.cfm) to its media contacts immediately following the release of the omnibus package. In the release, Ken Kirk, AMSA’s Executive Director stated that “without a long-term, sustainable federal commitment to clean water funding, communities will not be able to tackle the current backlog of capital replacement projects to meet mandates associated with controlling wet weather overflows, or to improve the quality of the nation’s waterways.” AMSA’s press release garnered significant media attention ranging from the national trade press to city newspapers. For example, William B. Schatz, AMSA president and General Counsel for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District in Cleveland, was quoted by the Ohio Associated Press touting the trust fund concept and noting that the CWSRF cuts “highlight the need for a national grant program.” A complete list of articles quoting AMSA on its views regarding the EPA budget can be found at the AMSA in the News webpage (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/advocacy/news.cfm).
On a related note, AMSA distributed a discussion draft of its trust fund legislation, The Clean & Safe Water Trust Fund Act of 2005, to Association members, environmental and conservation stakeholder groups and members of the Water Infrastructure Network earlier this week for their comments on the draft. The draft bill would create a federal trust fund to provide financial assistance to communities to achieve the goals of the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts. This legislation takes its cue from existing laws passed by Congress that established trust funds for other critical national infrastructure sectors, including highways and airports. The Association expects to secure sponsors and introduce the legislation in the 109th Congress in early 2005.
AMSA requests that members submit their comments on the draft legislation to Lee Garrigan via email at lgarrigan@amsa-cleanwater.org or by fax to 202/833-4657, by December 10, 2004. For more information, refer to Legislative Alert 04-5 (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/legalrts/la04-5.cfm).
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday AMSA’s National Office will be closed November 25 and 26. AMSA wishes you a safe and happy holiday!