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December 8, 2000

AMSA Engages on EPA TMDL Listing & Assessment Guidance
This week, several AMSA members attended a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) meeting in Chicago on the development of Consolidated Assessment & Listing Methodology (CALM) guidance to states for identifying and tracking impaired waters. EPA is developing CALM guidance with stakeholder input, and AMSA has actively participated in reviewing the guidance throughout its development.

Based on the meeting, it seemed that the CALM process could help municipal wastewater agencies by holding states more accountable for data quality and listing decisions. One important aspect of this process includes EPA’s development of "minimum adequate elements" that each state must meet to qualify for federal Clean Water Act Section 106 funding earmarked to address the total maximum daily load development backlog. EPA also appeared interested in using the CALM process to provide clearer distinctions between the data amount and quality necessary for 305(b) versus 303(d) lists. One of AMSA’s main concerns includes ensuring that only measured data (as opposed to probablistic or modeled data) will be used in 303(d) listing decisions. Waters defined as impaired using probabalistic data are more appropriately listed under 305(b) and can be targeted for more monitoring.

The deadline for comments on the draft guidance has been extended to December 15, and the guidance is available on EPA’s web site at www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/calm.cfml. AMSA staff is seeking input from member agencies to incorporate in the Association’s comments. Members are urged to share their comments on the guidance with the National Office by December 12. Contact Greg Schaner at gschaner@amsa-cleanwater.org or 202/296-9836.

Mixing Zone Ban Poses Serious Concerns for Many POTWs
This week, AMSA tallied the results of a mini-survey, which sought to determine the potential impacts of a mixing zone ban upon publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) across the country. Of the 53 agencies responding to the survey, 31 (58 percent) said they use mixing zones. Of those 31, 25 (80 percent) said elimination of their mixing zones would present compliance concerns. Although the survey provides only a rough snapshot of the likely impacts of a national mixing zone ban, indications are that many POTWs would be significantly affected. In 2001, AMSA will place a major emphasis on working with EPA to ensure that planned mixing zone regulations will not adversely impact POTWs. Regulatory Alert 00-21 contains the survey and more information on EPA’s announcement to propose national mixing zone regulations next year.

> AMSA NEAA Awards Nominations Open . . . AMSA is now accepting nominations for its 2001 National Environmental Achievement Awards program. AMSA’s awards program offers members the perfect opportunity to recognize local, state and federal officials for their contributions to the clean water community – and honor their agency and individuals for notable accomplishments. Award nominations must be received by AMSA’s National Office no later than Friday, December 22, 2000. Application materials were sent to all member agencies via Member Update 00-10. Details on the awards program, including award categories, eligibility criteria, application information and instructions for submitting nominations, can be found via the link on AMSA’s home page at www.amsa-cleanwater.org.