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. UU.l.otx,'" March 27, 1992 Issue No. 932 WESTERN STATES WATER ('~lrp __ \) \) \992 THE WEEKLY NEWSLE'ITER OF THE WESTERN STAlES WATER COUNCIL editor - Tony Willardson Creekview Plaza, Suite A-201 I 942 East 7145 So. I Midvale, Utah 84047 I (801) 561-5300 I FAX (801) 255-9642 typist - carrie Curvin WATER QUAUTY/ENVIRONMENT Clean Water Act-Reauthorization/Wetlands . According to the Environment Reporter, recent comments by Senate and House committee staff cast doubt on chances for passage of a comprehensive Clean Water Act (CWA) reauthorization bill in this Congress, The Senate Environment Committee has held a number of hearings on S. 1081, which was introduced last year by Senator Max Baucus (O-Ml), The bill was then redrafted by the committee's majority staff. Minority committee staff are dissatisfied with the redraft, and complain that they did not have a hand in the changes CNSW #924), On March 18, a minority Environment Committee staff member, Jimmy Powell, said that the possibility of passage of a comprehensive reauthorization bill this year looks 'more and more unlikely.' He called S, 1081 a "non-starter' that is 'not going anywhere.' He said any reauthorization effort needs to recognize "that the Clean Water Act works,' and that only a few issues really need to be addressed, including funding, stormwater permitting, and wetlands. He opined that a greatly streamlined CWA bill may be a possibility. . Senator John Chaffee (R-RI), the senior minority member on the Environment Committee, has asked staff to write a new CWA proposal based on issues raised during hearings on S. 1081, A major purpose of the proposal will be to authorize $2,5B annually through FY2000 for state revolving loan funds, $3B in grants for state non-point source pollution control programs, and $2.5B in grants to help small communities comply with CWA requirements. Other matters to be dealt with in Chaffee's bill include watershed planning, combined sewer overflows, non- point source pollution, and stormwater pollution control. chairman - William H. Young executive director - Craig Bell On the House side, Will Stelle, staff for the Merchant Marine Committee's Fisheries, Wildlife Conservation, and Environment Subcommittee, believes only 'a lean and mean bill' can possibly pass this year. It would address funding, stormwater permitting and 'technical fixes.' The committee scheduled a hearing for March 26 on wetlands regulation and allegations of government 'takings' of private property. Witnesses were asked to comment on H.R. 1330, introduced by Rep. Jimmy Hayes (0- LA). The bill requires compensation for landowners as part of a proposed comprehensive wetlands protection program. H.R. 1330 has 171 cosponsors, and Rep. Billy Tauzin (O-LA) has said he will offer it as an amendment to H,R. 2029, which is a CWA reauthorization bill that the Committee expects to mark up later this year. WATER QUAUTY Non-Point Source Pollution In a February report to Congress on actions implementing non-point source pollution (NPSP) control programs under the Clean Water Act of 1987, EPA found that agriculture continues to be the greatest source of nutrients and siltation that are responsible for most NPSP in surface waters. Recreation, aesthetic, and, wildlife uses are most affected by NPSP, according to the report. OTA's findings are based on information provided by states on important actions taken in FY89-90. OTA did not evaluate improvements in water quality under state NPSP programs because it is too early to measure the results. For more information, or copies of 'Managing Non-Point Pollution: Final Report to Congress on Section 319,' call (202) 260-7085.