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Action Please By: Hotel Cut-off: April 11, 1997
To: Members & Subscribers
From:National Office
Date:May 8, 1997
Subject:AMSA'S 1997 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY FORUM
Reference:MU 97-5

With the theme, Celebrating 25 Years of the Clean Water Act & Looking Ahead to the Next Quarter Century, AMSA's upcoming 1997 National Environmental Policy Forum & 27th Annual Meeting will focus on the past successes of the Clean Water Act, as well as its future challenges. The forum will be held May 3-7, at the ANA Hotel in Washington, DC. The ANA Hotel is located on the edge of historic Georgetown, close to downtown Washington's monuments, museums and attractions. The hotel is within walking distance to many of DC's finest restaurants, shops and galleries. May is a busy month in DC and we encourage you to make your plans now to attend this meeting. To receive the special AMSA group rate, you must make your hotel reservations by April 11, 1997. A preliminary program as well as detailed registration and travel information is included with this Update.

A list of distinguished speakers is being finalized that will certainly include both legislative and regulatory perspectives, feature key policy makers and offer plenty of opportunity for interaction. To prepare for the legislative components of the policy forum, AMSA this week is hosting a legislative strategy session to better determine congressional legislative priorities, to increase collaboration with other clean water stakeholders, and to chart the Association's legislative strategy.

Plan Now for Capitol Hill & EPA Visits

As in year's past, AMSA will devote an afternoon to devote to Capitol Hill visits and EPA meetings. Members are encouraged to make appointments to meet with Members of Congress or their staff or EPA representatives from 12:00 and 5:00 pm on Wednesday, May 6, to discuss issues of importance locally and to the Association's membership as a whole. You will soon receive more information to support you in this effort from the National Office.

AMSA to Again Host Capitol Hill Reception

Following the Hill visits and EPA meetings, AMSA will host a Capitol Hill Reception for AMSA members, Members of Congress and others. The reception will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Capitol Hill (location TBD) and members are highly encouraged to invite Congressional representatives. Special invitations will be printed for the reception and each AMSA member agency will be forwarded copies to distribute to their delegation. This effort was highly successful last year and we hope to build upon our success in 1997.

Technical Roundtables Return

As part of its regulatory focus, the 1997 National Environmental Policy Forum will again conclude with a farewell breakfast featuring technical roundtables, allowing participants to discuss important EPA initiatives face-to-face with key program managers. Roundtable issue topics are currently under development, but will likely include: watershed management, effluent trading, sanitary sewer overflows, total maximum daily loads, stormwater management, water quality standards, and pretreatment streamlining. AMSA committee leaders are strongly encouraged to attend the environmental policy forum, as AMSA's Legislative and Regulatory Policy committees, along with all of the Association's special committees, are scheduled to meet during the course of the forum.

Individuals/Member Agencies Honored

In addition to its emphasis on legislative and regulatory issues, AMSA's policy forum will provide a venue for the Association to recognize its 1997 National Environmental Achievement Awards honorees. This year's honorees will be recognized during an Achievement Awards Luncheon on Monday, May 5. The winners of this year's awards will be announced in the next issue of the AMSA Clean Water News.

Commissioners Luncheon Planned

This year AMSA will, for the first time, host a Commissioners' Luncheon on Tuesday, May 6 from
12:00 - 1:30 pm. This luncheon will provide POTW commissioners with the opportunity to network and learn more about national legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect their agencies. AMSA members are, as always, encouraged to invite commissioners and other members of local governing bodies to participate during the Policy Forum & Annual Meeting.

Important Deadlines and Information . . .

The cut-off date for hotel reservations in AMSA's room block is April 11, 1997. Please call the ANA Hotel directly at 202/429-2400 to make your reservations.

AMSA's advanced registration deadline is April 25, 1997.

The enclosed meeting agenda provides important information on the Policy Forum, Annual Meeting, and committee meetings. Additional information with hotel and meeting registration information is enclosed.

AMSA's May National Environmental Policy Forum & 27th Annual Meeting focuses on the Association's core concerns in Washington, where national environmental legislation is crafted and regulatory policy is made. Plan now to attend this important meeting. The forum's first flyer and registration material will be forwarded to AMSA member agencies and friends later this month.

We look forward to seeing you in Washington this May.

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