News
EPA publishes WOTUS SNPRM in Federal Register
EPA and The Department of the Army have officially published, in the Federal Register, the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding recodification of the Pre-existing WOTUS rule — i.e. “Step 1” of the Administration’s repeal and replace reforms.
You can see the official notice here.
This means that the 30 day period to provide any comments kicked off on 7/12.
EPA Releases More Information on Upcoming PFAS Engagement
The EPA released the early agenda for the upcoming PFAS Engagement Event in Horsham, PA. The event will take place at the Hatboro-Horsham High School on Wednesday, July 25th. The agenda includes research updates, regional panels, an overview of Pennsylvania specific PFAS activity, community presentations, and a listening session. For more information and to register, please see the PFAS Engagement website.
Transparency in Cost Benefit – Comment Deadline Extended
EPA is considering developing implementing regulations that would increase consistency, reliability, and transparency during the development of regulatory actions. The advance notice of proposed rulemaking titled “Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Costs and Benefits in the Rulemaking Process” included a 30-day comment period scheduled to close July 13, 2018. EPA indicated that by developing implementing regulations through a notice-and-comment rulemaking process, EPA hopes to provide the public with a better understanding of how the agency is evaluating costs.
ACWA, NGA, ECOS, ASDWA, ASTSWMO, ASWM, AAPCA, and NARUC all signed a joint letter expressing concerns with the short 30 day comment period initially announced in the Federal Register notice. The above-mentioned organizations represent state and regional regulators who “share a vision of cooperative federalism in which federal, state and local governments interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems.” The letter went on to say “[b]ecause this proposal could fundamentally alter EPA’s basis for understanding the benefits and costs of proposals in policymaking, its implications for decision-making warrant careful study, the highest transparency in the development of a record on which to set our common direction, and broad public discussion.” Last week the comment period was extended until August 13, 2018.
Association Updates
ACWA Seeking Volunteers to Provide Input for Health Advisory Table Updates
The EPA Health and Ecological Criteria Division is in the process of a long term project to update the health advisory table and are interested in user input. If your office uses the table and is interested in providing initial input into the update process please let Frances Bothfeld know. This will likely be a one time call with the EPA.
Meetings
2018 ACWA Annual Meeting
Reserve your Lodging Now! Guaranteed rates end 7-23-18
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. A copy of the draft agenda for this meeting can be found on the 2018 National CAFO Roundtable events page. If you are with a state or interstate and have attended ACWA meetings in the past, we recommend you login to Member365, go to the Events Calendar, and register from there. If you do not remember your login credentials, please contact Member Services. If you are with EPA or another organization, or you have never attended an ACWA event in the past, then please use the public registration link found here. Registration for the meeting is free, registration for the field trip is $25.00 and is limited to 45 seats. If you intend to go on the field trip, we highly recommend you register ASAP and select the “Field Trip Workshop” option. Please direct all meeting registration questions to Katie Foreman. Be sure to also book a room at the Riverside Hotel.
November Nutrients Permitting Workshop
The next 2018 Nutrients Permitting Workshop will be held November 6 to November 8, 2018 in Gulfport, Mississippi at the Courtyard Marriot Gulfport Beachfront, 1600 East Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Mississippi. Secure your lodging now using the group code G-3657 to receive the group rate when making either online reservations or reservations over the phone. You can call the hotel direct at 228-864-4310. To register and for more information, go here.
The agenda is currently in development, however, the meeting will focus on the relationship between TMDLs and permitting for nutrients.
For more information on the meeting, please contact Mark Patrick McGuire.
Coming Soon…
ACWA Watersheds Committee Call
Thursday, July 26 2018
2:30 – 4:30 PM ET
For more information, contact Julian Gonzalez
ACWA 319/Nonpoint Source Workgroup
Wednesday, July 25 2018
2:30 – 4:30 PM ET
For more information, contact Julian Gonzalez
