| Governor Signs State Budget and Consolidation Trailer Bill |
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The governor signed the FY 2015-2106 state budget last week, including a drought-related budget trailer bill, SB 88, authorizing the State Water Resources Control Board to mandate consolidation of public water systems. The trailer bill also included limited CEQA exemptions for water recycling and groundwater recharge projects.
Though the consolidation language was narrowed in scope, CASA was part of a broad local government coalition that remained opposed to the measure, which was rapidly moved through the budget trailer bill process without adequate time for stakeholder comment or public input. The coalition also questioned whether the Water Board, which houses experts in the field of drinking water, has the requisite expertise in Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg local government law and local agency organization. |
| CASA Urges Congress to Reject Cuts in CWSRF Funding |
 In the face of legislation to slash funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), CASA urged Congress to provide at least $1.4 billion in funding for the upcoming fiscal year. In a joint letterto the California Congressional delegation, CASA, the Association of California Water Agencies and WateReuse California noted that the CWSRF is integral to the delivery of recycled water projects in California, including projects for agriculture, industrial use, habitat, potable reuse and more. Recycled water projects stretch existing supplies of water during the drought. The letter also highlights the importance of the CWSRF as the main funding source, other than local user rates, for replacement and repair of aging infrastructure critical to protecting water quality.
President Obama has threatened to veto HR 2822, which reduces SRF funding by a combined $527 million from the President’s FY 2016 Budget request. The White House issued a statement objecting to the bill, which will reduce “necessary support to help communities finance water infrastructure improvements, resulting in approximately 200 fewer projects being funded nationally.” Senate Democrats have also vowed to stop the Senate version of the proposal. |
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| Retiring MRWPCA GM Keith Israel |
Oops! Last week we reported that Keith Israel, General Manager for theMonterey Water Pollution Control Agency for the past 27 years, will be retiring on June 19. We accidentally included a picture of incoming GM, Paul Sciuto. Our sincere apologies to Keith and Paul.
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| Date |
Organization |
Event |
Location |
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| Aug. 19-21, 2015 |
CASA
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This August, CASA will celebrate our60th annual conference. Join us as we relive milestones in wastewater history. And as we head down the path of utility of the future, we’ll take a glimpse at what may lie ahead. |
San Diego |
| Sept. 26-30, 2015 |
Water Environment Foundation (WEF) |
The Water Environment Foundation’s annual technical conference, WEFTEC. |
Chicago |
| Oct. 28-29, 2015 |
Stanford University Global Projects Center |
Public-Private Partnerships for the Water Sector |
Stanford |
| Jan. 20-22, 2016 |
CASA |
Winter Conference |
Palm Springs |
| Feb. 22-24, 2016 |
CASA |
Washington, D.C. Conference |
Washington, D.C. |
| Aug. 10-12, 2016 |
CASA |
Annual Conference |
Monterey |
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- CASA Leads Coalition in Support of Federal Drought Legislation
- Funding Guidelines for Water Recycling Now in Effect
- CASA Supports Healthy Soils Initiative, Opportunities for Biosolids Use
- Conference Attendees Invited to Tour Water Purification Facility
- Meet our Newest Staff Member!
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