On June 1, 2010, EPA published a notice in the Federal Register seeking stakeholder input to help EPA determine whether to modify the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations as they apply to municipal sanitary sewer collection systems and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) in order to better protect the environment and public health from the harmful effects of sanitary sewer overflows and basement back ups. 

Four public listening sessions will be held in Seattle (June 24), Atlanta (June 28), Kansas City (June 30), and Washington, DC (July 13). These public listening sessions afford an opportunity for the public to provide input on regulatory actions that EPA is considering. Space is limited and you must register for listening sessions in advance HERE.

The public listening sessions will include a brief background on SSOs and peak flows that will be followed by an opportunity for the public to provide input on possible paths forward. Written and oral statements will be accepted at the public listening sessions. Input generated from what was learned at a public listening session will be compiled and archived. The information gathered at these sessions, will be available on the Web at www.epa.gov/npdes/sanitaryseweroverflows. Brief oral statements (three minutes or less) will be accepted at the sessions, and written statements will be accepted. Written statements are due by August 2, 2010. Information on how to submit comments is available HERE.

CWN member organization American Rivers has prepared a list of suggested talking points that you can read HERE.