AMSA Legislative Alert (LA05-2)

To:	Members & Affiliates
From:	National Office
Date:	April 11, 2005
Subject:	CAPITOL HILL/EPA VISITS AND CONGRESSIONAL RECEPTION INVITATIONS
Reference:	LA05-2

Action Now:
Schedule Visits with Congress or U.S. EPA Officials

The Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies’ (AMSA) 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting and the AMSA/Water Environment Federation (WEF) National Clean Water Policy Forum will be held May 1-4, 2005 at the Marriott Metro Center in Washington, DC. These meetings provide AMSA members with an excellent opportunity to visit the offices of their Members of Congress or schedule meetings with staff at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On Capitol Hill, Association members can introduce themselves to new staff, discuss legislative issues, offer to brief staff and Members on issues of importance to their utility, and invite them to tour your wastewater facility. Members who wish to discuss pressing regulatory issues may want to set up meetings with federal EPA officials. This Legislative Alert provides information to help you prepare for your visit to Washington, DC.

Make Appointments to Meet Your Member or Visit EPA Headquarters
Meeting with your Members of Congress and congressional staff is critical to educating and building a lasting relationship with your federal elected officials. For this reason, the afternoon of Wednesday, May 4 has been set aside for AMSA members to visit their congressional delegations. During that time, AMSA members also may want to visit with EPA officials to discuss issues specific to their individual utilities.

To make an appointment with your Representative’s staff, contact the Appointment Secretary or Scheduler for your Member and explain who you represent and the issues you plan to discuss. During the week of May 2nd, only the U.S. House of Representatives will be in session but Senate Staff may be available for meetings. For congressional addresses, phone and fax numbers, please refer to AMSA’s website (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/usefullinks_leg.cfm). If you need assistance with scheduling your meetings, please call AMSA’s Lee Garrigan at 202/833-4655.

To make an appointment with an employee at the EPA, you can use the EPA Employee Directory (http://www.epa.gov/epahome/locator.htm) or call AMSA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Hornback, for assistance at 202/833-9106.

2005 Issue Briefing Packets
AMSA has prepared short briefing papers on the Association’s top government affairs issues that reflect AMSA’s legislative and regulatory priorities. This information can be used as a reference during your meetings, as leave-behind documents for your Members of Congress in Washington, DC and for Members’ staff in D.C. and back in your home State and District. The packets also can be distributed in their entirety to elected and government officials. The Issue Briefing Packets will be available to AMSA members and affiliates at the AMSA registration desk at the Marriott at Metro Center.

Invite Your Representatives to the AMSA/WEF Capitol Hill Reception
AMSA and WEF will host a Capitol Hill Reception on the spectacular 9th floor of the Capitol Hill Center at 101 Constitution Ave. in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. AMSA’s National Office has extended invitations to the Members and staff of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior, Environment & Related Agencies.

AMSA encourages all of its members to invite their Representatives and key staff to join their colleagues for this enjoyable evening at this beautiful venue. To send an invitation, please download the 2005 Capitol Hill Reception Invitation (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/advocacy/co/reception.pdf) and forward it by e-mail to the offices of your local Representatives. RSVPs are due to AMSA by April 25, 2005.

For more information, please contact AMSA’s Lee Garrigan at (202) 833-4655. Thank you and we look forward to your participation in the National Clean Water Policy Forum in May.