Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - April 14, 2006
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for the FaxAlert ArchiveApril 14, 2006
NACWA/WEF
Policy Forum Nears, Help Ensure POTW Concerns Are Voiced
Although the 2006 National Clean Water Policy Forum is only 2 weeks away there is still time to register and join NACWA and the Water Environment Federation in Washington, D.C., to voice the concerns of the clean water community. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in face-to-face exchanges with regulatory and legislative policymakers whose decisions impact the daily operations of the nation’s publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). A panel discussion on May 2, Legislative Priorities for 2006, will provide an opportunity for attendees to interact with key staff of the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee and the House Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee, who are responsible for drafting and negotiating legislation vital to the clean water community. Among the topics to be covered during the panel are the status of the Clean Water Trust Act of 2005 and wastewater and chemical security legislation as well as an outlook on clean water policy for the 110th Congress. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with EPA staff on a broad array of issues through a technical roundtable session on May 3. To register for the Forum, visit NACWA’s Conferences & Meetings webpage (http://www.nacwa.org/meetings/06may/).NACWA Urges Members to Keep up Momentum on NBP Funding
Based on recent meetings, NACWA is optimistic about the prospect of funding for the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) in fiscal year (FY) 2007. Specifically, NBP is optimistic that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies will include a grant of at least $1 million for the NBP in EPA’s FY 2007 budget. A grant for approximately $1 million from the Agency was included in last year’s budget and will fund technical assistance for participating agencies into 2007.Currently, NBP staff is preparing its budget and goals for the environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program and is looking to recruit another 20 agencies in the coming year. The budget and goals will be discussed at a new NBP Advisory Committee meeting which will convene for the first time in a joint meeting with the NBP Appeals Board during the May Clean Water Policy Forum. To support the likely influx of participants into the NBP EMS program, it is critical the Partnership receive this federal funding. The Association encourages its members to contact their Representatives or Senators to urge them to support $1 million for the NBP in FY ’07. A sample letter that NACWA members can personalize and send to Congress is available by accessing the Write Congress Now link located on NACWA’s homepage (www.nacwa.org). Congress is expected to start work on the appropriations bills when it returns from recess on April 24.
NACWA Creates Decontamination Wastewater E-Library
In conjunction with the release of its Planning for Decontamination Wastewater: A Guide for Utilities document (http://www.nacwa.org/getfile.cfm?fn=2005-10decon.pdf), NACWA has created an online e-Library to support clean water utility responses in the event of a chemical, biological, or radiological attack. The e-Library provides live links to many of the resources and references used in the development of the Guide, which is intended to increase the level of awareness within the wastewater community, on dealing with decontamination wastewater, and offers guidance on how to ensure that wastewater infrastructure and public health are protected in the event of a future attack. The e-Library also includes links that provide access to ongoing research projects or technical efforts related to decontamination wastewater. Members can access this e-Library through NACWA’s website (http://www.nacwa.org/advocacy/security/decon/) and copies of the Guide can be purchased through NACWA’s Bookstore (http://www.nacwa.org/pubs/).