News
EPA Extends WIFIA Deadline
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced at a meeting with water sector associations that the deadline to submit letters of interest for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans has been extended to July 31, 2018. Administrator Pruitt also sent a letter highlighting the deadline extension to governors of 56 states and territories as well as tribal leadership. Also in conjunction with Infrastructure Week, the Agency released a new interactive website that showcases leading efforts by states, public water systems, and communities to replace lead service lines.
ASWM Names New Executive Director
Marla Stelk started her relationship with ASWM five years ago as a policy analyst. During her tenure at ASWM, she has led several major grant-funded projects for ASWM, developed national workgroups, authored multiple reports, written numerous successful grant applications and has been leading ASWM’s communications and membership development activities. She has developed, coordinated and moderated various webinar series, including the Wetland Mapping Consortium and the Natural Floodplain Functions Alliance. She has established strong relationships with ASWM’s many existing partners and developed relationships for ASWM with many new partners. ASWM is excited to continue to build on her momentum at ASWM to increase the capacity of wetland programs and collaborative partnerships. Stelk has over 20 years of experience in environmental work, research and organizational leadership. She brings superb communication skills and a deep passion for science and environmental policy. In 2015, Marla was elected as a town councilor for the Town of Gorham, Maine and has been an Executive Committee Member of the Greater Portland Council of Governments since 2016. She is also an active volunteer for the Gorham Village Alliance. Stelk holds a BA with honors in Environmental Issues from Colorado College and a MA in Community Planning and Development from Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, where she focused on land use and the environment.
Effective immediately, Marla will become Assistant Director for ASWM. Over the summer months, Marla and current Executive Director, Jeanne Christie, will work with the ASWM Board and staff to carry out a transition plan. Marla will formally become Executive Director late in 2018 and the current Executive Director will move to another position in the organization.
House releases spending bill for FY19
Congress released the FY19 Spending Bill. The bill details, among other things, how they plan to fund the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill as written avoids the larger cuts proposed by President Trump (reducing the EPA budget by $2 billion to $6.15 billion), settling on a cut of $100 million from $8.05 billion (the FY18 budget) to $7.95 billion. Also notable, the plan includes $31.54 million to cover buyouts and early retirement packages, as part of a “workforce reshaping”. The bill contained numerous riders, including one to repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule. Lastly, the bill funds the CWSRF and DWSRF at $2.6 billion, and also provides $75 million for WIFIA.
On Tuesday, the bill was voted out of committee by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.
ACWA wrote a letter to the chair and ranking members with regards to EPA’s appropriations budget.
If you have additional questions, contact Julian Gonzalez.
EPA Sponsoring 5-day WASP Workshop June 11-15 in Atlanta
US EPA Region 4 and the National Water Quality Modeling Work Group will sponsor a 5-day workshop on water quality principles/modeling using the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP). WASP is one of the most widely used water quality models in the US and throughout the world. With an estimated 10,000+ installed user base, the model is continually being enhanced to meet the needs of the user community. This course is designed to train the beginner to the most advanced user. The participants will be given PowerPoint presentations and other materials to make it easy to follow along in the course. The workshop provides an excellent overview of major water quality processes including how they are implemented in the model. The training sessions are broken into theory lecture sessions and hands-on sessions. The majority of the workshop is hands-on using real world examples.
If you are interested in attending this workshop, please visit WASP Website (www.epawasp.com) click the Workshop Information link and complete the registration form. There is no charge for the workshop; attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging.
Association Updates
ACWA Submits Comments on Hydrologic Connection Request
This week, ACWA submitted its comments for EPA’s Request for Public Comment entitled, Clean Water Act Coverage of “Discharges of Pollutants” via a Direct Hydrologic Connection to Surface Water. To view the letter, go here.
Job Opportunities
Senior Industrial Waste Inspector – City of Chandler, Arizona
Meetings
2018 Nutrients Permitting Workshop
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER AND SECURE YOUR LODGING!
If you are planning to attend the June 2018 Nutrients Permitting Workshop in Columbus, Ohio, you must make your reservation by Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Lodging is available at the Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square. Please make your reservation ASAP!
Also, if you plan to attend the meeting, you must register. To register for the meeting, go here.
The 2018 Nutrients Permitting Workshop will be held June 5-7, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio at the Riffe Government Center, 77 S. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. To view the most recent draft agenda, go here. For more information on the meeting, please contact Mark Patrick McGuire.
2018 National CAFO Roundtable
The 2018 National CAFO Roundtable will be held in Boise, Idaho from Tuesday, September 25, 2018 to Thursday, September 27, 2018. An updated copy of the agenda has been posted on ACWA’s website and we are currently looking for several presenters. Registration for the meeting will go live next week. ACWA is still looking for a few volunteers to help us plan the agenda. This week ACWA responded to all requests for travel support. If you did not get a response, please contact Sean Rolland. For more details on the meeting, please go to ACWA’s 2018 National CAFO Roundtable event page.
Coming Soon…
ACWA Legal Affairs Committee Quarterly Call
Thursday, May 24, 2:00 – 3:15 pm EST
This call will focus on the various cases involving hydrologic connection currently in progress. The call will consist of a panel of experts briefly discussing relevant cases with discussion to follow. For call in information, contact Mark Patrick McGuire
Cooling Water Steam Electric Workgroup Call
Thursday, May 24, 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST
For call in information, contact Sean Rolland
Watersheds Committee Call
May 24, 2018, 2:30 – 4:00 pm EST
For more information email Julian Gonzalez
