3
T
he Association will soon release its
Wet Weather Consent Decree
Handbook
. Whether already under a consent decree, cur-
rently negotiating one, or anticipating one in the future, this
Handbook will be the premier resource for municipal and utility at-
torneys, managers, and staff to use when dealing with federal or state
enforcement actions.
NACWA’s original
was released
in 2003. NACWA has since published two supplements to the 2003
Handbook
. These three publications have proven to be an indispensable
tool for clean water utilities and attorneys. The
Handbook
, along with
its related online library of wet weather consent decrees, has been one
of NACWA’s most popular member resources.
Changing Landscape Presents New Challenges
Since publication of the last supplement in 2009, the consent decree
landscape has dramatically shifted with new challenges and consider-
ations coming into play related to integrated planning; climate/resil-
iency; aging infrastructure; energy efficiency/production; water reuse
and reclamation; resource recovery; and, green infrastructure. These
significant changes impact not only communities negotiating new de-
crees, but also those with existing decrees that may now seek changes
or modifications to their decrees to pursue additional flexibility. In
order to best address these new opportunities – and offer recommen-
dations on how utilities can take advantage of them – NACWA has
undertaken a complete rewrite of the
Handbook
with new sections and
strategies addressing the current regulatory environment.
Clean water agencies must keep abreast of recent consent decree devel-
opments; case studies; tools; resources; and, analyses to best modify/re-
negotiate existing decrees or negotiate new decrees. The 2014
Handbook
will be an invaluable instrument to navigate
the process. The new
Handbook
is scheduled
for release in early May 2014 as an electronic
publication and will be provided free of charge
to Association members.
2
NACWA to Release Wet Weather
Consent Decree Handbook
Workshop to Put Handbook into Action
As a supplement this new resource, NACWA will host a first-of-its-kind
on April 30 and May 1, 2014, offering intensive and insightful sessions on the
current state of play in the wet weather consent decree arena. Through analysis of real world
case studies, available tools, effective negotiation strategies, and areas of evolving regulatory
flexibility, this day-and-a-half workshop will equip clean water agencies with the most up-to-
date consent decree information and resources to renegotiate existing decrees or negotiate
new decrees that best serve their communities and the environment. The Workshop will also
provide a forum for candid dialogue and information sharing on lessons learned, successes and
failures.
Workshop attendees will be the first to receive NACWA’s new 2014 Wet Weather Consent
Decree Handbook. The Workshop is designed to reinforce and provide training on the
information in the Handbook by bringing together utility members and speakers with
extensive consent decree expertise who will provide practical, real-world tips and strategies for
both living with/modifying existing decrees and negotiating new ones.
Wet weather consent decrees will be a part of daily life for clean water agencies and their
communities for decades to come. Negotiating the best decree possible – or renegotiating an
existing one – can transform a dreaded enforcement order into a sustainable and responsible
plan that maximizes return on investment. We encourage all members either currently under,
or soon to be under, a decree to attend this Workshop in order to collectively continue to shift
the paradigm toward more cost-effective, partnership-based decrees that will serve as models
for clean water agencies nationwide.
The Workshop will be held at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel. Additional
information on the
, including agenda, registration and hotel
details, is available on NACWA’s
This members-only forum is back, with significant enhance-
ments that will allow you to network, participate and easily
communicate with NACWA Member Agencies and Affiliates
– and ultimately utilities nationwide. Engage™ will provide
a collaborative experience for utilities and Affiliates with
discussions focusing not only on critical advocacy issues but
also information sharing among your peers.
Check it out by logging on to
Log On Today &
Get
Engaged!
