February 25, 2011

All eyes are on Washington DC as next week’s budget battle intensifies with each side trying to avoid blame for any potential federal government shutdown.  The only certainty at this point is the current continuing resolution (CR) keeping the government funded expires on March 4.

The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a joint hearing with the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture on February 16.  Together the two Subcommittees examined the impact of a court decision requiring EPA to issue NPDES permits for the application of aquatic pesticides.  Application of these pesticides is already regulated by EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

EPA draft guidance on how to identify water bodies subject to Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction was leaked to the trade publication Inside EPA.  The leaked guidance was sent to OMB for review in December 2010.  If implemented, it would supersede 2008 Bush administration guidance and “significantly” expand the scope of the CWA.

House Republicans included language to prevent EPA from working on this draft guidance in the House passed continuing resolution to fund government for the remainder of FY 2011.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), normally far apart on environmental issues, are finding themselves in agreement on infrastructure needs, especially for water projects. 

The House Subcommittee on Cyber Security, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologiesmet on Feb. 11, to discuss the progress of the Chemical Security Act and a possible reauthorization bill. Chairman Dan Lungren (R-3) stated that oversight of the Department of Homeland Security falls under the jurisdiction of his committee, and in this difficult budget climate he wants to make sure the public’s money is not squandered.  

Over 100 ACWA members are schedule to descend on our Nation’s Capitol for this year’s DC Conference beginning on March 1.