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O'~'.'''1? U 1 i) .l..," ~... ~JN:;'i'.\.i ~~~" 1\ ~.~>Cf~"'-f;\' -r~\_, . WESTERN Ii STATES WATER . Creekview Plaza, Suite A-201/942 East 7145 So./ Midvale, Utah 84047 / (801) 561-5300 / FAX (801) 255-%42 editor - Tony Willardson typist - carrie Curvin WATER QUAUTY Clean Water Act-ReauthorizaIion . The Senate Clean Water Act (CWA) reauthorization effort took an important step forward June 15 when S. 1114, a bipartisan bill, was introduced by Senators Max Baucus (D-Ml) and John Chafee (R-RI). Chairman Baucus intends to have a bill out of the Environment Committee this year. The committee will hold weekly CWA hearings during the summer. The 'Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act of 1993' (S. 1114) aims at consensus, according to its sponsors. Baucus said, 'It will not satisfy those on the extremes. If you are looking for a bill that will guarantee the elimination of water pollution at any cost...[or)...that permits a business-as-usual approach, ignoring...real... problems, this bill is...not for you.' In developing the bill, committee staff sought technical advice from EPA. S. 1114 contains titles on water program funding, toxic pollution prevention, watershed planning and nonpoint source pollution control, municipal pollution control, permit program and enforcement, and program management. Regarding funding, the bill authorizes State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) capitalization grants at an annual rate of $2.5B for FY 1995-2000. In any year when 1993 deficit reduction goals are met, authorized amounts increase by $500M increments up to $5B in FY2000. Also, the bill . expands eligibility for SRF fund use to include combined sewer over1low (CSO) and stormwater control programs, and watershed management plans. . The bill revises CWA provisions that regulate industrial pollutant discharges. New requirements would be added to ensure that highly toxic, persistent, or bioaccumulative pollutants are eliminated from industrial waste processes. The ban would be <;:nairrrian - Dave Kennedy executive director- craig Bell phased-in over five years. Also, new requirem!!nts for toxic pollution prevention byJndustry are provided. , ' . , , . Title III of S. 1114' de~l~ with water~hed planning and nonpoint source pollution : (NPSP),controJ. It expands authority for monitoring waters' and creates a voluntary watershed management. proQ(am. States would designate watershed areas and manage!1lent entities responsible for developing plans to protect water quality. The plans would assure that w~er,and sediment quality standards are attain.ed with.in ten years. Within 2'12 years, states would be required to revise CWA Section 319 NPSP plans to be consistent with guidelines developed by EPA. Approval of Section 319 plans would be a condition of gram assistance. Site-specific wate(quality plans would be the primary means of implementing NPSP controls in impaired watersheds. Where plans do not resull in sufficiently improved water quality, revised plans must be created. The NPSP program would thus be transformed from reliance on essentially voluntary plans incorporating best management practices to the implementation of management;lJ'!easures or site- specific water quality plans.consistllnt with EPA guidance. However, a state could exempt a cateQory of sources if it can. show no impairment to'waters within the state." The state could:als,o, with EPA approval, adopt. allernative requirelJ'!ents relatiVe to . specific types of NPSP based on.a showing by the owner or operator of the source that the modified requirements will 'represent the maxirri,urri use of management measures and practices within tt1e economic capability of the owner or operator . and resull in reasonable further progress toward elimination of pollution.' The bill authorizes increased Section 319 grant funding, starting with $300M in FY95, and increasing to $600M, provides for EPA coordination with other federal agencies, and directs federal agencies to control NPSP on federal lands.