ARCHIVE SITE - Last updated Jan. 19, 2017. Please visit www.NACWA.org for the latest NACWA information.
ARCHIVE SITE - Last updated Jan. 19, 2017. Please visit www.NACWA.org for the latest NACWA information.
October 5, 2012
NACWA, Municipal Partners Represented at Oral Arguments in Chesapeake Bay TMDL LitigationA federal court in Pennsylvania heard arguments Oct. 4 in a legal challenge to EPA’s total maximum daily load (TMDL) for the Chesapeake Bay, with NACWA and its municipal association partners from Maryland and Virginia participating in the proceedings and arguing in favor of a holistic watershed approach to improving water quality. Nearly five hours of argument were held by the court in American Farm Bureau, et al. v. EPA, which is a challenge by agricultural interests to EPA’s inclusion of nonpoint sources as part of the final Bay TMDL. New NGO Lawsuit Filed to Challenge Chesapeake Bay Trading ProgramIn a related development, environmental activist groups filed a new federal lawsuit Oct. 3 challenging the water quality trading program in the final Chesapeake Bay TMDL. The lawsuit alleges that all trading programs are illegal under the Clean Water Act, including trades between point sources as well as those between point and non-point dischargers. It would impact trading programs involving wastewater treatment plants as well as stormwater sources, and has potential implications not just for the Chesapeake Bay region but for all water quality trading efforts nationally. NACWA is currently reviewing the case, consulting with its regional partners and members in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and evaluating an appropriate response to ensure the national interests of the clean water community are aggressively represented as the litigation moves forward. Additional information will be provided to NACWA members as developments unfold.WEF/NACWA Utility Leaders Morning at WEFTEC a Big SuccessThe NACWA and Water Environment Federation (WEF) Utility Leaders Morning during WEFTEC 2012 in New Orleans drew large numbers and received high marks from NACWA and WEF members alike. The first-time collaboration between NACWA and WEF at WEFTEC devoted an entire morning to utility leaders and the issues they face. The Hot Topics Breakfast kicked off the morning with an opportunity to discuss key water policy issues with EPA staff. Following the breakfast, the Utility Executives Forum featured presentations from utility leaders and discussion on the opportunities for transformational change for water utilities and the sector broadly. Office of Water, Enforcement Staff Highlight Key Issues During Hot Topics BreakfastMore than 80 NACWA members and invited guests participated in the Hot Topics Breakfast and dialogue with EPA. Nancy Stoner, Acting Assistant Administrator for Water, kicked off the EPA presentations by outlining the importance of four key issues that she believes will continue to put pressure on the water quality gains made to date – population growth; development; nutrients; and, climate change/adaptation strategies. Stoner stressed the importance of innovation in making continued progress on improving water quality and highlighted the positive impact the water industry has on the U.S. and global economies. Stoner’s remarks were followed by presentations from three Office of Water Directors – Betsy Southerland, Director, Office of Science & Technology; Denise Keehner, Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans & Watersheds; and Randy Hill, Acting Director, Office of Wastewater Management – who provided updates on key initiatives in each of their offices. Loren Denton, chief of the Municipal Enforcement Branch in the Office of Enforcement & Compliance Assurance’s Water Enforcement Division reiterated his office’s focus on addressing wet weather flows and stressed that there are ongoing efforts to ensure consistency among the EPA regions and reduce antagonism during enforcement negotiations with municipalities. Utility Executives Forum Focuses on the “Utility of the Future” and Transformational LeadershipGeorge Hawkins, General Manager, DC Water; Tony Parrott, Executive Director, Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati; David St. Pierre, Executive Director, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; and, Karen Pallansch, CEO, Alexandria Renew Enterprises – all NACWA Board Members – offered up detailed accounts of how their utilities are positioning themselves for the future. The themes from this session included: the importance of community outreach and branding; green infrastructure and approaches that can be seen and touched by their customers; the importance of flexibility and ensuring the maximum bang for the ratepayer dollar; and the need for an increasingly collaborative model between the utility, the regulators and the NGO community. NACWA, WEF, ACWA to Host Event for Clean Water Act’s 40th AnniversaryNACWA, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA) are jointly hosting an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The event is scheduled for Monday, October 15, 2012, 12:00 - 2:00pm EST at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Speakers at the event will include Ellen Gillinsky, senior policy advisor for the Office of Water at EPA; Ken Kirk, Executive Director of NACWA; Jeff Eger, Executive Director of WEF; Alexandra Dunn, Executive Director and General Counsel of ACWA; George Hawkins, General Manager of DC Water; Karen Pallansch, General Manager of Alexandria Renew Enterprises; and Jerry Johnson, General Manager of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. State representatives have also been invited to participate. Speakers will highlight how the CWA has led to vastly improved water quality, and community and economic vitality in the United States and will outline a vision for what is needed to build on these gains in the decades to come. NACWA has been asked to speak at several other local 40th anniversary events, including one being organized by the Clean Water Network and another by the Chesapeake Water Environment Association. NACWA Members interested in attending the October 15 press event, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .True Environmentalists –
When we think of environmentalists we think of our members. The National Environmental Achievement Awards celebrates NACWA public agency members and their local, state and federal elected/appointed officials for the positive impact they have on the environment, their utility and their community. Member utilities are encouraged to submit nominations in both the individual and agency categories for the exceptional advocacy efforts or unique and creative projects that demonstrate a strong commitment to clean and safe water and a healthy, sustainable environment. Applications are due on Friday, October 19 and additional information can be found on the NACWA Website. Contact
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, Director of Membership Development should you have any questions or need additional information. |
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Winter Conference
Next Generation Compliance …Where Affordability & Innovation Intersect
February 4 – 7, 2017
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel
Tampa, FL