»
NACWA played a key role in the ongoing dialogue
over the development of numeric nutrient criteria,
including weighing in on state-specific efforts
in Ohio and Iowa – both of which are testing
the bounds of EPA’s flexibility regarding state
implementation. The Association continues to push
the Agency to allow more innovative approaches
that will better protect designated uses.
»
NACWA filed legal briefs before a federal appellate
court and the U.S. Supreme Court challenging
inappropriate nutrient limits in a CWA discharge
permits. The Association’s briefs in
Upper Blackstone
Water Pollution Abatement District v. EPA
argued
that numeric nutrient limits in discharge permits
must be written based on sound science and local
water quality information, and should not require
expenditure of public dollars on investments that
are unnecessary to address local water quality
concerns.
»
NACWA weighed in on several EPA actions relating
to contaminants of emerging concern including
proposals on nanosilver; the approval process for
new and re-registered pesticides; and, a federal
review of triclosan and its uses. The Association’s
advocacy in this area continues to press for a more
coordinated federal approach to evaluating and
regulating the impacts of chemicals before they
become a concern in the water environment.
»
NACWA secured support for, and represented
its member’s interests in, a series of U.S. Water
Alliance convened dialogues focused on the
Mississippi River nutrient crisis. The dialogues
brought together agriculture, water, and
environmental sector leaders working along
the Mississippi River to increase collaboration
and undertake effective action to reduce excess
nutrients in the river.
»
NACWA played an active role in EPA’s efforts to
develop revised recreational water quality criteria,
outlining concerns about the Agency’s direction
and the lack of implementation guidance. As a
result, the Agency has committed to developing
implementation guidance, and the revised criteria
better reflect the state of the science.
»
NACWA participated in several national water
quality trading events, helping to advance the
discussion on what makes an effective market
for trading and how to make these markets
succeed. The Association’s Water Quality Trading
Workgroup remains very active in this arena.
»
NACWA, through its leadership role in the Healthy
Waters Coalition, was successful in securing
language in the Senate-passed Farm Bill to ensure
that nutrient management activities receive priority
conservation funding and allow farmers that are
part of a partnership agreement to receive five-
year contracts and special payments for nutrient
management activities. Through NACWA’s efforts,
the bill also contains language that clarifies that
municipal water and wastewater entities are eligible
partners, and specifically cites partnerships that
execute innovative water quality improvement
measures as eligible for conservation funding.
5
PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY NACWA’S TARGETED ACTION FUND
