Clean Water Current Archive

October 17, 2008

NACWA Urges Congress to Enact Stimulus Bill with Water Infrastructure Funding

NACWA sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), and to every member of Congress this week urging them to enact a second stimulus package this year that would include significant grant funding for wastewater infrastructure.  The letter points out that while the earlier House-passed stimulus bill, H.R. 7110, provides $6.5 billion for the clean water state revolving fund (CWSRF), with a limit of only about $100 million that can be distributed in the form of grants, NACWA believes more money overall, including an increase in grant funding, is needed.  “When considering the current economic circumstances municipalities face, these funds should be distributed primarily in the form of grants or negative interest loans for ready-to-go clean water projects based, of course, on a community’s economic situation,” the letter said.  NACWA sent a Sept. 4 memo listing public agency ready-to-go projects to Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and met with congressional staff to ensure that H.R. 7110, which passed on Sept. 26, included significant money for the CWSRF.

The second stimulus package was put on the back burner as Congress diverted its attention to the financial rescue package in September.  However, it is becoming increasingly likely that both the House and Senate will come back for a lame-duck session after the November elections to consider a stimulus package.  Work has already begun on a $150 billion bill, and even if it is not enacted this year, stimulus legislation will likely be considered next year.  NACWA urges its public member agencies to continue to stress to their congressional representatives the importance of infrastructure funding that will create jobs and stimulate the economy.

NRC Report on Stormwater Calls for Watershed Permitting, Increased Federal Funding

The National Research Council (NRC) issued a report Oct. 15 identifying watershed-based permitting and increased federal funding to state and local governments as critical components of future efforts to better manage stormwater runoff.  The report, Urban Stormwater Management in the United States, finds that “the course of action most likely to check and reverse degradation of the nation’s aquatic resources would be to base all stormwater and other wastewater discharge permits on watershed boundaries instead of political boundaries” and calls on EPA to implement watershed-based permitting within the next five to 10 years.  As part of this new permitting structure, the report recommends municipalities take the lead in implementing and regulating watershed permits, working with both point and nonpoint sources within the watershed to improve water quality.  The plan would incorporate a variety of techniques to reduce water pollution, including water quality trading and green infrastructure.  NRC also recommends a substantial increase in federal funding to implement the watershed approach, noting that “EPA should seek significant congressional funding to support the states and municipalities in undertaking this new program, in the nature of the support distributed to upgrade municipal wastewater treatment plants after the 1972 passage” of the Clean Water Act.  Such funding would aid municipalities as they take on a new and more critical role in implementing and overseeing a new generation of watershed permits.  The report affirms much of NACWA’s thinking, including that of the Strategic Watershed Task Force, and can be used as an important tool for the Association to advocate for a meaningful federal partnership to address clean water challenges on a watershed basis, renewed federal funding, and incentives to promote the use of green infrastructure as a viable means to control stormwater runoff.  NACWA continues to review the report and looks forward to working with EPA and other stakeholders to implement many of its recommendations.

NACWA, EPA, DC WASA, Others Participate in Event Honoring CWA 36th Anniversary

NACWA helped celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA) this week in an event touting the successes of the law, but spotlighting the need for more federal funding, innovative approaches, and statutory changes to ensure continued progress in meeting water quality objectives.  Gathering on the banks of Washington, D.C.’s, Anacostia River to celebrate the anniversary were Ben Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water; Jerry Johnson, general manager of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority  (DC WASA); and representatives from DC’s Department of Public Works and Department of the Environment as well as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  The speakers largely focused on the challenges cities face nationwide in revitalizing their urban areas and the creative strategies being employed to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and stormwater to the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, both of which are part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. NACWA Executive Director Ken Kirk called on Congress to return this year and enact a second stimulus package with significant funding for water and wastewater projects.  In addition, he highlighted NACWA’s support for the use of green infrastructure to help control stormwater runoff in an environmentally sensitive, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective manner.  Significantly, almost all the participants spoke of the need to take a more holistic, watershed-based approach as a way to tackle ongoing and emerging water quality challenges, such as nutrient control and stormwater runoff.

NACWA Hosts Meeting on Stormwater Mitigation Funding in Transportation Bill

With the reauthorization of the next surface transportation bill set to commence in the 111th Congress, NACWA is helping to organize a coalition of stakeholder groups seeking to ensure the inclusion of funds and programs to help mitigate the water quality impacts from stormwater runoff due to highway construction and maintenance.  Participants in this week’s meeting included the Clean Water Network, American Rivers, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Environmental Council of States, among others.  NACWA and other water groups were involved in a similar effort several years ago during the last reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and succeeded in garnering bipartisan Senate support for a nearly $1 billion set-aside for stormwater mitigation projects in the bill, though the effort was ultimately blocked by the House.  With the increasing federal focus on green infrastructure, green jobs, and climate concerns, however, NACWA and fellow coalition members believe the time is now right to seek such funding and key water quality protections in the upcoming surface transportation bill reauthorization effort.  NACWA will continue to update its members on the progress of this initiative.

NACWA to Update Members on Critical Issues Action Initiative Next Week

NACWA will send out an update next week to all members on the status of the Association’s Fiscal Year 2009 Critical Issues Action Initiative, which is supported largely through voluntary member contributions.  NACWA wants to ensure that it has the necessary tools to fully and effectively respond to a host of pressing regulatory, legal, and legislative challenges, which will place increasing pressures on clean water utilities across the country.  Regardless of the current economic situation, public policy in the areas of nutrients, climate change, pharmaceuticals, watershed management, infrastructure sustainability and security will continue to move aggressively forward.  With elections looming and the political landscape poised to shift, clean water agencies must not only have a seat at the table but must be prepared to effectively fashion the future of clean water in this country.  The initial response to the Critical Issues Action Initiative has been extremely positive, with approximately 40 percent of public agency dues received to date including a voluntary contribution to this vital initiative.  NACWA, as always, appreciates the unrivaled support of its member agencies and looks forward to providing a detailed update next week on the status of a number of key projects being conducted as part of this important effort.

NACWA Participates in Proposed NPDES Program Rule Listening Session

NACWA participated in a public listening session on Oct. 14 regarding a proposed EPA rule on NPDES Program Management Information.  The rule would identify NPDES permitting, enforcement, and compliance data that delegated states would have to provide to EPA through the Integrated Compliance Information System for NPDES (ICIS-NPDES), which would replace the Permit Compliance System (PCS).  Currently, 28 states have already switched from PCS to ICIS-NPDES, with four more planning to switch next year.  The rule would help EPA to manage and evaluate the national NPDES program, while keeping Congress and the public better informed of its performance.  EPA stated that the rule would not impose any additional reporting burden on facilities with NPDES permits.  The Association of State & Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators (ASIWPCA), however, believes that the rule could increase the workload — at the same time that budgets are being cut — for state environmental programs, requiring resources to be shifted away from other NPDES activities, such as permitting.  NACWA will follow the development of this proposed rule and keep members informed about any potential impacts on NPDES permit holders.

Submit Security Reporting Information Before October 23 Deadline!

The Oct. 23 deadline for completing the water sector security measures reporting is quickly approaching.  The water sector is currently gathering information to assess the “all hazards” security progress of utilities, and NACWA asks all members to participate in this effort.  Utilities can visit the WaterISAC webpage to submit their information.  All information will be kept anonymous and will be reported only in aggregated form.  Please see NACWA Member Update 08-14 for more information.

NACWA to Highlight Advocacy Efforts at WEFTEC

NACWA will be well represented this year at WEFTEC’08 in Chicago with a two booths on the exhibit floor at McCormick Place, and its annual Hot Topics Breakfast on Oct. 21.  Please come by the NACWA booth (Booth # 35013) for a preview of the Association’s newly redesigned website and up-to-date news on the latest advocacy issues in the nation’s capital and in the courts.

Clean Water Advocacy Center to be a Presence on Critical Issues
NACWA has once again teamed up with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the American Public Works Association (APWA) to host the Clean Water Advocacy Center (CWAC) at WEFTEC ’08.  This is the second year that the CWAC (Booth # 34003) will be communicating – with your help – the importance of clean water and infrastructure funding to the candidates running for president and the Congress.  This year the CWAC will feature photo opportunities (of the cardboard cut-out variety) with both presidential candidates to attract visitors and encourage support for clean water as a central priority of any new administration.  Come sign on to a letter asking our next President to make support for clean water a priority in his new administration, and get your photo taken with the candidate of your choice.

Ken Kirk to Speak on Panel about Financial Crisis, Opportunities in Congress
In addition, NACWA Executive Director Ken Kirk will speak on a panel from 8:30 a.m – noon, Monday, Oct. 20, where he will be joined by Ben Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water; Dick Lanyon, general superintendent of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago; and Sandi Allen, of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, to discuss “Fees, Finance, and the Future: Water is Life and Infrastructure Makes it Happen.”  Ken will provide the municipal perspective in the context of the current economic crisis and discuss opportunities in the upcoming Congress and next administration.  Closing out the panel discussion will be Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, so please plan to attend.

NACWA’s Hot Topic Breakfast Offers Exchange with Ben Grumbles, Other EPA Officials
NACWA will hold its annual Hot Topics Breakfast on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 8 – 10 a.m. in the Michigan A/B room at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers (the WEFTEC’08 headquarters hotel).  Guests will have the opportunity to engage key U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials on a broad slate of water quality-related topics.  Ben Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water; Ephraim King, director of EPA’s Office of Science and Technology; and Craig Hooks, director of the Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, will be on hand along with other EPA representatives to discuss issues including nutrient control, effluent guidelines, the watershed approach and whole effluent toxicity, just to name a few.  There is no cost to attend NACWA’s Hot Topics Breakfast and registration is not required.  We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

Hotel Deadline Approaching for Law Seminar

The Oct. 24 hotel reservation deadline for the 2008 Developments in Clean Water Law Seminar is quickly approaching, so hurry and make your plans to attend today!  The Seminar, scheduled for Nov. 12-14 at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC, has an exciting program planned with top EPA officials, including Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for water, who will address EPA efforts on climate change, and Granta Nakayama, assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance, and many of the best clean water legal practitioners from around the country serving as speakers.  There will also be a special presentation by Amy Walter, editor of The Hotline and a noted political commentator, to analyze the November elections.  Other topics to be addressed at the Seminar include nutrient regulations, climate change, stormwater developments, biosolids management, and wet weather enforcement actions.  Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits will be available.  The conference has already received accreditation from Colorado, California, Kentucky and New York, with credits from other states expected soon.  The agenda and information are available on the Seminar webpage.  We hope to see you in November!