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Member Pipeline - Board & Committee Information - Board Briefs - April 2, 2001

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April 2, 2001

WEF Resistance Makes AMSA/WEF Alliance Unlikely
Plans for AMSA and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to explore a new relationship and division of responsibility between the two organizations derailed abruptly last week. Despite approvals by AMSA’s Board of Directors and WEF’s Executive Committee to proceed, AMSA has been informed that objections raised by WEF members attending the Federation’s Washington Briefing in late March have resulted in a change in the organization’s stance on this issue. WEF has now taken the position that any future discussion may focus only on the Partnering Agreement executed between the two organizations in late 1999.

The concept of a strategic alliance between the two organizations was to be explored with the goal of eliminating duplication of effort and information – particularly with regard to government affairs initiatives. AMSA’s vision of the alliance would align AMSA (government affairs), WEF (information and knowledge on the water environment) and WERF (science and research) in a strategic partnership to better serve the utilities and individuals in the water quality community. AMSA’s Executive Committee discussed this new development, as well as the bulleted topic which follows, during a conference call on Friday, March 31 (please see next entry for additional information).

 
WEF Leadership Floats ‘Utility Membership’ Concept Paper
In a related development, WEF is circulating "concept paper" discussing the Premises, Plan, and Action Plan for a WEF Utility Membership category (included with this correspondence). WEF’s surfacing of the concept paper at this time appears a direct contradiction with their public position on the exploration of a strategic alliance between WEF and AMSA, and could significantly undermine recent efforts to eliminate duplicative undertakings between the two organizations. With the Executive Committee’s concurrence, AMSA President Bill Pugh plans to write WEF President Joe Stowe to express AMSA’s concern with regard to these recent developments. Pugh’s letter will also note AMSA’s desire to discuss these matters in depth at the upcoming AMSA/WEF Officers Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 22 during the Association’s National Environmental Policy Forum. Board members will also have the opportunity to discuss this matter at the May 21 Board of Directors Meeting. Members of the Board will be kept apprised of new developments as they occur.

 
May Policy Forum Plans Underway
Plans for AMSA’s 2001 National Environmental Policy Forum & 31st Annual Meeting are well underway, with a compelling theme – The New Political Landscape. . .Moving the POTW Agenda Forward, and online presence , a promotional postcards sent, and the first conference flyer in the mail. Board members are encouraged to make their hotel reservations and register for the conference without delay. With many of AMSA’s issues receiving attention on the Hill and within the Administration, we expect an excellent turnout. The hotel reservation deadline is April 27, 2001. Please contact the Marriott at Metro Center at 202/737-2200 to make your reservation today.

The following provides a summary of Board Committee meetings to assist you in planning your travel:

Saturday, May 19
12:00 - 3:00 Technical Action Fund Long-Range Planning Committee
3:30 - 4:30 Membership Committee

Sunday, May 20
  8:30 - 10:30 Strategic Planning Committee
10:30 - 11:30 Budget & Audit Committee
11:30 - 12:45 Executive Committee
  1:00 -   2:00 New Board Orientation (AMSA Officers to attend)

Monday, May 21
  2:15 - 4:00 Board of Directors Meeting

Board materials are slated to go out in early May. We look forward to seeing you in the Nation’s capital for an excellent program and incredible opportunity to advance the POTW agenda on Capitol Hill and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 
AMSA Priority Issues Briefing/Hill Visits Critical to Success of Policy Forum
As the Association positions itself to actively engage the new Administration and 107th Congress, the May meeting will include a Priority Issues Briefing on Sunday, May 20 from 3:15-4:45 pm. The Briefing will provide a critical overview of AMSA’s top fast-moving legislative and regulatory issues, including water infrastructure financing, EPA’s FY 2002 budget, SSOs, and TMDLs. This session will bring members up-to-date on legislative initiatives that could impact AMSA’s priority issues and truly will prime AMSA members to make the most their Capitol Hill and EPA visits on Tuesday, May 22. Given the fact that the water infrastructure funding issue is moving so quickly, considerable outreach is planned to encourage members to visit the Hill to be heard. The National Office will provide enhanced service to members by arranging Hill appointments, providing talking points, and ensuring that attendees navigate the Hill and the Agency smoothly.

 
AMSA Board OKs Affiliate Support of May Events
Board member response to the concept of encouraging Affiliate support of events associated with the 2001 National Environmental Policy Forum & 31st Annual Meeting was positive. The National Office is currently drafting correspondence to our Affiliate members, offering them the opportunity to support events at the May meeting. Participating organizations will be recognized in the conference program and on signage posted at evening social events. Affiliate member sponsors will also enjoy complimentary registrations for the Policy Forum.


AMSA Begins to Frame Options to Proposed SSO Rule
AMSA and several other municipal organizations on March 5 sent a letter to EPA Administrator Whitman expressing fundamental concerns with the Agency’s proposed sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) rule. A copy of the letter is posted on the AMSA website at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org in the Correspondence & Outreach section of the Member Pipeline. As a follow-up to AMSA’s suggestion that viable alternatives exist under the Clean Water Act to the proposed "zero overflow" approach, the National Office is actively working on developing potential options for the Agency’s consideration. AMSA hopes to develop a national regulatory framework which more closely links compliance to the implementation of best management practices, as embodied in a site-specific management, operation and maintenance (MOM) plan. On March 29, AMSA’s SSO Federal Advisory Committee (FACA) representatives attended a one-day brainstorming session at the National Office to develop initial consensus on such a framework. AMSA anticipates that a recommended approach will be drafted in the next few weeks for finalization by the SSO Work Group.

 
AMSA Lays Groundwork for Upcoming Regional Caucuses
AMSA’s National Office is in the process of planning three Regional Caucuses for 2001. The first regional meeting will be held in Region I on June 13, followed by a meeting in Region V on June 19. In addition, a third Regional Caucus is tentatively scheduled for Region III in early July in Washington, DC. The Caucuses provide an excellent vehicle not only to bring AMSA to its members, but also for members and potential members to share their perspective and developments within their region with National Office staff. The National Office staff will be working closely with board members in each region to solidify plans for each caucus and coordinate outreach efforts. We look forward to keeping you up-to-date on this initiative.

 
Water & Wastewater Leadership Center Receives Rave Reviews
The joint-venture Water & Wastewater Leadership Center recently complete its first two-week session on March 23. The curriculum was developed with the goal of preparing and developing leaders and management executives for the nation’s public water and wastewater utilities. We are proud to report that the Center’s curriculum and the facilities at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill received rave reviews from participants. Several participants proclaimed it a "first-rate learning experience".

The second session of the Leadership Center is slated for September 16-28, 2001. The National Office staff will begin outreach efforts soon to bolster awareness of this important program, and member agencies are urged to participate. Information on the second session of the Center will be forthcoming.

 
Call for Member Support of AMSA Technical Action Fund Imminent
Consistent with Board direction in February, the National Office staff is preparing a letter to the membership requesting funding support for AMSA’s Technical Action Fund. The request will utilize contribution guidelines consistent with last year’s Clean Water Funding Campaign and recommend voluntary contributions based on service area population as follows:

Under 250,000 $1,000
250,000 - 500,000 $2,000
500,000 - 750,000 $3,000
750,000 - 1,000,000 $4,000
Over 1,000,000 $5,000

We plan to make a compelling case for continued – and additional – support of the Technical Action Fund and look forward to a positive member response. As noted earlier, AMSA’s Technical Action Fund Long-Range Planning Committee will meet in May to explore means through which to grow and ensure the continued viability of the Fund.


Board Membership Initiative Planned
Over the next few months, we invite you to take part in AMSA’s membership development efforts. In an effort to increase AMSA’s membership in larger service area populations and non-member states, the National Office will be drafting a "Dear Colleague" letter to accompany the 2000 Year in Review report for board members to send to potential members in their respective regions. We sincerely hope that you will be able to participate in the Association’s membership development initiative. You will be receiving detailed instructions on this effort shortly. We look forward to keeping you up-to-date on the progress of this initiative.


Hugh McMillan Announces Retirement
Hugh McMillan, AMSA Board Member from Region V, has announced plans to retire from his position as General Superintendent of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and tendered his resignation from the AMSA Board of Directors. The National Office has solicited nominations for candidates to represent Region V on the Board. Because Hugh’s current Board term ended in May, the new Board Member will be elected to a full three-year term. The identification of a Region V candidate will track the Call for Nominations forwarded to the membership via Member Update 01-1, allowing the election of all new Board members to occur at the May Annual Meeting. AMSA wishes Hugh well in all this future endeavors and will recognize him for his service to the Association in May at the 2001 National Environmental Policy Forum & 31st Annual Meeting.


Ed Archuleta to Leave Region VI Board Seat
Edmund Archuleta, AMSA Board Member from Region VI and General Manager of the El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board, has announced that he will not run for re-election to AMSA’s Board. Like Hugh, Ed’s term also expires in May. The National Office has also solicited nominations for candidates to represent Region VI on the Board.

 

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