» Clean Water Current Archive

July 9, 2010

NACWA Urges Members to Complete Money Matters Affordability Survey Online

This week, NACWA sent Advocacy Alert 10-17 to its members urging them to complete a brief online survey requesting information on the Clean Water Act affordability challenges public agencies are facing. The information will help NACWA tell the story of the very real financial constraints that public member agencies are experiencing in clear, compelling language.  NACWA’s efforts under the Money Matters banner have already inspired significant momentum on this issue within Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and among other key stakeholders, such as the U.S. Conference of Mayors.  The one message that NACWA has heard clearly is that decision-makers want case studies that exemplify the need for EPA to reform its Clean Water Act affordability policies.  The information from the survey will assist NACWA in developing a compendium of case studies, influential messaging and “words that work” with key audiences, and a compelling leave-behind that tells the affordability story of the Nation’s public agencies — all key components of the Money Matters campaign.  NACWA is seeking to have all of these documents completed in early September for use by the Association and its members as part of the Congressional election cycle in November.  Please ensure that your agency completes this online survey and provides as much detail as possible.  The Money Matters campaign and related affordability advocacy efforts will be discussed throughout NACWA’s upcoming Summer Conference in San Francisco.

Key Senators Introduce Green Infrastructure Bill with Help from NACWA, Coalition

Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) this week introduced The Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act (S. 3561) in the U.S. Senate.  The legislation’s introduction followed months of advocacy by NACWA, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and American Rivers.  It is a companion bill to H.R. 4202, introduced by Representative Donna Edwards (D-Md.) in the House.  The bill seeks to improve water quality by encouraging research, development and promotion of green infrastructure technologies in stormwater management.  The legislation would establish up to five regional centers of excellence, create a green infrastructure program within EPA, and provide a dedicated source of funding for planning and construction of green infrastructure projects.  S. 3561 and NACWA’s press release expressing support for the bill can be accessed on NACWA’s website by clicking here.

NACWA Board Member Ray Marshall, Executive Director of the Narragansett Bay Commission in Providence, R.I., was quoted in Senator Udall’s and Whitehouse’s official press release, stating he and his agency applaud “them for their leadership on this important issue, and look forward to working with them in increasing the federal resources available for the implementation of green infrastructure projects and in raising the profile of the many benefits these investments provide.”  Demonstrating the momentum green infrastructure legislation has, H.R. 4202 gained three new co-sponsors this week — Reps. Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) and Laura Richardson (D-Calif.), bringing the total number to 40.  NACWA urges its members to continue to contact your Representatives and Senators to encourage their support for H.R. 4202 and S. 3561.

NACWA Weighs in with EPA on Future of SRF Program, Federal Funding

NACWA sent a letter this week to EPA’s Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe responding to a request he made to the Association to provide input on the future of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program and the role of the federal government in relation to clean water funding and financing more broadly.   The letter states that, despite federal deficits, now is not the time to consider reducing or zeroing out funding for the CWSRF program.  Rather, the Administration should use this opportunity to re-examine alternative and innovative funding mechanisms and re-imagine how to make the most of the CWSRF to ensure every dollar is used as beneficially as possible.  The letter argues that, given the focus on the federal deficit, now is the time for the Administration to weigh in on behalf of a clean water trust fund – which would provide funding through deficit-neutral revenue sources.  The letter adds that “while more money is a vital part of the solution, so too is ensuring the equitable distribution of any federal funding that becomes available.  This means any new funding that becomes available should, on an equitable basis,:

1. Help urban and rural systems alike;
2. Promote green and gray projects based on site-specific priorities;
3. Account for a new, more flexible approach to affordability and to determining financial capability constraints;
4. Incentivize new technologies and market-based approaches such as trading while also accounting for the impacts of climate change;
5. Advance continuous asset management improvement;
6. Take a watershed approach and focus on advancing water quality goals for the Nation’s waterways with a focus on our great water bodies.”

With the tightening federal budget in mind, the letter also recommends that EPA embark on a serious process to rethink its approach on Clean Water Act affordability assessment to ensure that the limited federal dollars that are made available are targeted to projects that maximize water quality benefits.  The letter also requests a meeting with Deputy Administrator Perciasepe to discuss these important issues further.

Media Continue to Look to NACWA as Leading Source on Clean Water Issues

NACWA continues to be looked to by both the print and television media as a key resource on clean water issues.  NACWA’s Executive Director Ken Kirk appeared this week on D.C. Channel 9 television news (click here and then on “watch video”) to put, NACWA member agency, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s aging infrastructure challenge and recent water restrictions into a national context.  NACWA “believes spending has to increase markedly on water infrastructure to keep up with coming demand.  It estimates needed spending at about half a trillion dollars in the next 20 years,” Kirk said.  NACWA has been in the media on numerous other issues recently, including Clean Water Act affordability, the federal responsibility to pay stormwater fees, and the need for a viable national green infrastructure program (see related story).  To track NACWA’s media efforts more closely, visit our News and Media webpage on the NACWA website.

Countdown to the Summer Conference On

NACWA’s 2010 Summer Conference & 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting is just 11 days away.  It’s not too late to register and to join over 200 of your colleagues in San Francisco for this important milestone event.  Please visit NACWA’s website for the complete agenda and registration materials.  We hope to see you in San Francisco!