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Western States Water Council Water Quality Committee Washington, DC March 28, 2006 . Water Quality Standards Managers' Association Denise Keehner described the group. I found that staff people discussed policy amongst themselves, but the HQ policies were sometimes not "real." I didn't like things being done just by EP A. I requested representation by state offices as well. We have monthly conf calls. We begin the process of deciding what the options should be and what the focus should be. We also have 2 meetings per year. We try to align those with ASIWPCA meetings. It is a very candid and open meeting and work group. It is a very worthwhile group. Brent Fewell: Ben Grumbles is very apologetic he couldn't be here today. His loss is my gam. Thank you all. Committee Staff Briefing on Good Samaritan Legislation Michelle Nellenbach (Jim Inhofe) There is a bill in the Senate by Senators Allard and Salazar. This bill is much more broad than on CW A. The bill is trying to take away the liability. There is movement in both houses. Great efforts are ongoing. Bill pending before the Committee on Senate Environment & Public . Works. Hopeful to get something done on the issue this year. Catherine Ransom (boss from Vermont) - minority staff of Senate Environment & Public Works Committee. The Bill reminds me of a lot of negotiations with my four year old. There is concept of how far you push the limit. John Anderson (majority) House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment. I'm new to this set of issues. I've been hearing from my colleagues that this issue has been going on for some time. We are looking for input. A hearing will be held later this week. The hearing is not about anyone piece of legislation, but rather it is finding out from stakeholders where we should be going. We need to look for common ground that may make it possible to move legislation this year. Hoping to look at some of the issues - who should be good samaritans? What amount of liability? Ken Kopocis (minority) - House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment. I've been working on this issue for 20 years. We need to do this. We spent about 5 years trying to do comprehensive Superfund reform. The time is ripe to deal with Good Samaritan. Focus on what is doable rather than looking at everything. Focus on WQ improvement. How do we get improvements in WQ where it is impacted by abandoned mines? Could be conservation groups, mining companies, and others. Responsible owners and operators are not going to be given relief. There is liability. The public needs to be involved. 12 .