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April 10, 1997
Planning & Bylaws Committee Meets in Chicago
AMSA's Planning & Bylaws Committee met in Chicago on April 1 to discuss and develop recommendations for Board consideration on a number of issues. Chief among their recommendations to the Board was the approval of two proposed Bylaws amendments, one addressing board composition and the other focusing on membership development. A majority of the Board has voted to present the two amendments for membership vote in May. As a result, the National Office has forwarded notification to the three regions (Region I, Region VII, and Region X) that may receive new Board seats to solicit nominations in anticipation of May election (pending membership approval of the Bylaws amendment). The Committee will also recommend Board approval of Washington, DC as the ongoing site for AMSA's May National Environmental Policy Forum & Annual Meeting and a long-range strategic planning process to address issues related to AMSA's membership and mission.
AMSA to Testify at House Clean Water Act Hearing
AMSA has been invited to testify at the first Clean Water Act reauthorization hearing of the new 105th Congress. In late March, Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, announced two hearings related to the Clean Water Act for April 23 (Clean Water Needs) and April 24 (Wetlands). The Clean Water Needs hearing will focus on traditional needs/funding issues -- as well as the viability of privatization as a tool to address current and future challenges. AMSA's April 23 testimony, which will be delivered by Erwin J. Odeal, will focus largely on the findings of our 1996 Financial Survey and our recent work in on this issue of privatization.
AMSA's coalition work on Clean Water Act reauthorization continues. National Office staff will meet with representatives from a number of state and local stakeholder organizations on April 18 to further discuss positions and priorities for reauthorization.
Appropriations Committee Looks at Privatization
The House Appropriations Committee has also been considering privatization as a viable alternative to government investment in wastewater treatment facilities. In their committee report last Congress they urged EPA to "do everything it can administratively to remove impediments to such public/private partnerships and encourage the state and local governments to look to the private sector instead of the Federal government as the financial source of choice." This topic will be among the issues discussed at upcoming appropriations hearings. AMSA will submit testimony aimed at ensuring better understanding of the issues and variables involved and share our Evaluating Privatization and Managed Competition checklists with the Appropriations Committee.
CSO Permit Negotiation Workshop Proposed
During discussions in Orlando, several members of AMSA's Wet Weather Issues Committee expressed an interest in AMSA sponsorship of a CSO Permit Negotiation workshop to be held sometime in the fall of 1997. Such a meeting is expected to draw 75-125 participants. Board approval for the workshop will be solicited during the May meeting. A proposed draft program is currently being developed by a small workgroup.
AMSA to Consider Partnership With Database Developers
AMSA has recently been approached by an information technology company, Engineering Design Information (EDI), to consider joint sponsorship of the development of an Internet-related database of wastewater equipment. The proposed database would allow users to perform index searches, provide equipment descriptions, product overviews, and engineering drawings, and also allow users to cross-reference and compare products across manufacturers using a proprietary database search engine. Several AMSA members are meeting with EDI on April 11 to discuss a role for AMSA in the proposed venture. The Board will be provided with a detailed report on this proposal during its May meeting. In a related issue, the National Office is currently reviewing proposals from contractors to develop and host AMSA's Internet Website. AMSA's Website is expected to be online in July 1997.
AMSA to Co-Sponsor Workshops on Great Lakes Initiatives
AMSA, with approval from its Executive Committee, has initiated an effort to co-sponsor a series of workshops to be held on the Great Lakes Initiatives. The first seminar will be held on May 20 in Chicago, with several others in each of the Great Lakes states to follow in the Fall. Other organization have been invited to participate including, National League of Cities, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Northeast/Midwest Institute, and the Water Environment Federation. Workshops participants are expected to share information on how to best control the GLI regulated chemicals being discharged to sewerage systems focusing on pollution prevention and waste minimization as the preferred method versus end-of-pipe treatment.
AMSA Selects Contractor to Assist ICCR Data Gathering Effort
EPA will be developing National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and New Source Performance Standards for certain combustion sources under the Industrial Coordinating Committee Rulemaking (ICCR) process. The Board approved a $25,000 technical action funding request from the Air Quality Committee to conduct a data gathering survey of AMSA members to collect emission data from combustion devices to ensure that POTW data is adequately reflected in any proposed rulemaking. Following a competitive bidding process for contractual support, the Committee leadership selected the firm of Malcolm Pirnie to support AMSA's data collection and evaluation needs. The bid was significantly less than the authorized amount by the Board. The survey instrument is expected to be completed by late-April and mailed to AMSA members shortly thereafter.
AMSA/EPA to Meet on Part 129 Sewage Sludge Incinerator Rulemaking
On March 17, AMSA's Incineration Workgroup submitted comments in opposition to EPA's Office of Air & Radiation proposal to subject sewage sludge incinerators to the same regulations as solid waste incinerators under section 129 of the Clean Air Act. In its technical and legal analysis, AMSA pointed out that the proposal could result in the elimination of incineration of sewage sludge because these POTWs would find it technically infeasible to simultaneously meet the proposed standards for carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen. The Agency has requested a meeting with AMSA's Incineration Workgroup leadership, National Office, and legal counsel on May 14 to review the proposal and provide a forum to discuss the Association's concerns and next steps.
Biosolids Stakeholder/Radioactivity Survey Meetings Scheduled
AMSA, WEF, and EPA plan to convene a meeting of invited scientific stakeholders on May 15-16 at the Bolger Center in Potomac, MD to consider current policies that govern the use of biosolids. EPA is vitally interested in this stakeholder meeting to achieve consensus on a management policy that will install public confidence in biosolids use. In September 1995, both AMSA and WEF had submitted a stakeholder vision for a streamlined national biosolids management program. A possible outcome from this meeting is the development of a quality management system for biosolids that would include a code of good practice. In conjunction with the National Environmental Policy Forum, AMSA, WEF, EPA, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will meet on May 6 to discuss NRC/EPA upcoming plans to conduct a broad survey of radionucleides from POTW biosolids and educational tools needed to communicate with the wastewater community and the general public.
National Office Seeks New Public Affairs Manager
M. James Moye, AMSA's Manager, Communication and Public Affairs, has tendered his resignation after two years of service to the Association. James will leave the staff on May 30 to pursue freelance writing opportunities and pursue personal ambitions. A search is underway to fill the position. Board member recommendations of potential candidates are welcomed.