Clean Water Current

Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Ben Cardin (D-MD), along with Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Rob Portman (R-OH), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), have introduced the Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act (S. 692).

NACWA Board Members and committee leaders stayed in Washington, DC after the National Water Policy Fly-In and Rally for Water to meet with key stakeholders on the growing nutrient pollution challenge.

During Water Week 2017, Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), long-time champions for the creation of a water infrastructure Trust Fund, introduced H.R. 1647, The Water Infrastructure Trust Fund Act of 2017.

NACWA submitted two comment letters March 20, on EPA rule proposals related to chemical risk evaluations required by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, passed in 2016 to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) is seeking input for a new survey on water affordability as per a congressional request.

The Trump Administration released its preliminary Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget numbers on March 16 for all federal agencies, including EPA. The EPA proposal slashes the Agency’s funding by 31% - the biggest cut of any federal department – but also would fully fund the State Revolving Funds (SRFs).

NACWA submitted comments on March 14 on EPA’s proposed Public Notification Requirements for Combined Sewer Overflows to the Great Lakes Basin, recommending that EPA make the requirements more practical for utilities to implement.

The Maryland House of Delegates, Economic Matters Committee held a hearing on House Bill 1239, Nonwoven Disposable Products – Advertising and Labeling, on March 15.

NACWA, joined by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and National Rural Water Association (NRWA), held a Congressional Briefing for congressional staff —titled, “Clean Water & Safe Drinking Water 101”–on March 17, at the Capitol Visitors Center.

NACWA supported a “Dear Colleague” letter in the House of Representatives, which congressional members could sign to support the preservation of tax-exempt municipal bonds.

Staff for EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt issued a directive via email to EPA Headquarters and the Regional Offices earlier this month, consolidating all major Agency decision-making at the Administrator’s office.

The Association submitted comments on March 20 to EPA’s recent Request for Scientific Views for establishing Human Health Recreational Ambient Water Quality Criteria and/or Swimming Advisories for Microcystins and Cylindrospermopsin.

NACWA hosted the first quarterly National Stormwater Advocacy Network (NSAN) conference call of 2017 to discuss EPA’s draft Community Solutions for Stormwater Management: Guide for Voluntary Long-Term Planning.

Last week, the EPA and the West Coast Infrastructure Exchange, in partnership with the University of North Carolina (UNC) Environmental Finance Center, released a new examination of nine projects that utilize public-private and public-public partnerships (P3) to develop water infrastructure projects.

NACWA has been busy on Capitol Hill in recent days, meeting with key congressional offices to discuss clean water funding issues and potential work on a large-scale infrastructure package.

NACWA hosted nearly 120 participants on March 9 for the second installment of the Hot Topics in Clean Water Law webinar series for the 2017 fiscal year.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) held a press event March 9 to release its Infrastructure Report Card for the nation. This report card is issued every four years, and its results are widely reported in the press.

NACWA joined with the U.S. Water Alliance (Alliance) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to co-host a One Water Listening Session in Washington, DC on March 9.

The Maryland Senate voted on March 10 to approve Senate Bill 280, Nonwoven Disposable Products – Advertising and Labeling by a vote of 34-12.

The Trump Administration is expected to release its initial “skinny budget” proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 on March 16, providing top-line numbers for federal agencies and outlining which key federal programs may see an increase or decrease in funding levels.