Urban/Wet Weather/Water Infrastructure Workgroup
The Urban, Wet Weather and Water Infrastructure workgroup’s objective is to advocate for policy that will meet the challenges of mitigating the harm caused by stormwater run-off and sewage. Stormwater is the largest non-point source of water pollution in the United States and sewage overflows are a leading cause of beach closures through out the country. The Clean Water Act invested billions of dollars in sewage treatment. That investment has paid off, but work remains to be done and funding for infrastructure and maintenance must be secured. As urban and suburban areas expand every year the need for innovative and improved wastewater and stormwater infrastructure systems is essential to achieving the goals of the Clean Water Act. The Urban, Wet Weather and Water Infrastructure workgroup strives to make sure that these important clean water systems keep up with the demands of the country’s growing population.
Stormwater Rule Update
Moving Forward in 2012
Update on Stormwater Rule:
Save the Illinois River Action Alert
Save the Illinois River (STIR) is concerned about a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study for the Illinois River watershed in Oklahoma and Arkansas. This study by U.S. EPA is now underway with the cooperation of both states. STIR is very concerned that there may currently be an effort to steer the EPA’s TMDL study in order to prolong and confuse its completion and implementation. Please check out the attached letter outlining the group's concerns, sent by STIR leaders to Administrator Lisa Jackson at EPA. More information about STIR and this issue can be found on their website: http://www.illinoisriver.org/default.aspx Picture from Save the Illinois River http://www.illinoisriver.org/Photos/15486.jpg
Thanks for supporting CWN in 2011!
Clean Water Network -- 2011 & 2012 Members & Partners
Thanks to the following organizations for supporting CWN. With foundation funding dwindling and a less than robust economy, support to CWN is critical. Becoming a dues paying member and/or partnering with CWN on its Power of Water Campaign, helps the organization as well as all of our members' efforts to protect our country's precious water resources.
We look forward to working with all of you this year on the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Alabama Rivers Alliance
American Rivers
America’s Waterway
Amigos Bravos (NM)
Assateague Coastal Trust
Appalachian Voices
Hot Off the 2012 Presses
Clean Water in the New Year!
Clean Water continues to be a hot topic in 2012! Several clean water news stories have already made the rounds in newspapers and electronic news bulletins across the country in 2012. A sampling of a few that you might have missed follow.
Sign On Letter for Continued Funding for Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF
American Rivers is circulating a sign on letter urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to support continued funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. The letter is addressed to Chairman Inouye, Ranking Member Thad Cochran, Interior and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Reed, and Ranking Member Murkowski:
Sign On Letter for Continued Funding for Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF
American Rivers is circulating a sign on letter urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to support continued funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. The letter is addressed to Chairman Inouye, Ranking Member Thad Cochran, Interior and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Reed, and Ranking Member Murkowski:
Notes from May 19, 2011 Call on State Revolving Fund
Status of the State Revolving Funds – not good…
· The total amount of money going to the SRFs is again on the decline and as the “pie” gets smaller, there will be more scrutiny as to how the money is spent, putting items like the Green Project Reserve at-risk.
· The President’s Budget Request for FY12 is about what the finals were for FY11 so we expect that the appropriations will go down from there.
EPA Threatens to Take Over Alabama Enforcement Program
EPA has issued a formal objection to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management 's (ADEM) proposed storm water permits for small cities, according to a recent article in the Birmingham News. EPA has expressed concerns that ADEM is not holding local governments to strict enough standards for controlling the runoff of sediment and pollution into waterways during rain storms.
New Great Lakes Sewage Report Released
On Monday, August 9th, the Healing Our Waters-Great lakes Coalition and the Sierra Club released a new report "Turning the Tide: Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure to Create Jobs and Solve the Sewage Crisis in the Great Lakes." The report highlights the increasing wastewater infrastructure gap occurring in this country due to insufficient federal investments, how local communities are responding to this problem with innovative green solutions and what economic benefits can be derived from wastewater infrastructure investments. Below is the official press release from August 9th.
Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act (HR 4202)
Please find the link on this page, for the CWN support letter for HR 4202, the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2009. The letter was sent to all members of the US House of Representatives on March 26th. More than 65 organizations from across the country signed on to the CWN support letter for H.R. 4202.
Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act (HR 4202)
Please find attached a sign on letter for HR 4202, the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2009. Sign-ons are due to Gordon Culver (gordonculver@cwn.org) by close of business on Thursday, March 25th.
H.R. 4202: The Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2009 Fact Sheet
EPA Releases Guidance to Help Federal Facilities Better Manage Stormwater
December 9, 2009
EPA Press Release
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued guidance to help federal agencies minimize the impact of federal development projects on nearby water bodies. The guidance is being issued in response to a change in law and an Executive Order signed by President Obama, which calls upon all federal agencies to lead by example to address a wide range of environmental issues, including stormwater runoff.
Legislative and Administrative Water Priorities
Comprehensive list of the Clean Water Network's legislative and administrative recommendations for the New Administration and 111th Congress.