Please forward this newsletter to anyone who may be interested.                                  June 20, 2016
Assembly Committee Postpones Hearing on Ocean Discharge Ban Bill (SB 163)
Last week the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials took up SB 163 by Senator Bob Hertzberg. The legislation would impose a mandate on all ocean and bay dischargers to reuse 50% of their inflow by 2033. At the beginning of the hearing Senator Hertzberg offered to make amendments to the bill that had not been distributed or reviewed, placing opponents in the position of testifying against the bill in print while offering to review the amendments. Even with the proposed amendments, committee members voiced many concerns. Due to the late amendments and to give the senator time to potentially address some of these concerns, the committee voted to hold the bill over for a special hearing next Tuesday, June 21. CASA and the coalition will analyze the amendments when they become available and determine an appropriate position in advance of the hearing next week.
Ethics Training for Public Officials
Brad Hogin
Just because it's required doesn't mean it has to be dull! 

Elected or appointed officials who are compensated for their service or reimbursed for their expenses are required to complete two hours of ethics training every two years. 

John Bakker
So we've enlisted two very engaging presenters who will not only re-energize your commitment to ethical practices, but we bet they'll make you laugh and cheer in the process. 

Brad Hogin, Director and Shareholder at Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart and General Council for Orange County Sanitation District, and John Bakker, Principal at Meyers Nave and General Council for Napa Sanitation District are known for their entertaining presentation of this important topic. 

Join the session on Wednesday, August 10, from 2:00-4:00 pm.


Check out our event page to view the preliminary program, get hotel information, and register for CASA's annual conference.
Cap and Trade Funding Remains Undecided in State Budget Deal
The Legislature adopted the state budget in time to meet last Wednesday's constitutional deadline to pass the budget to the governor. CASA's efforts to secure Cap & Trade funding for wastewater agency projects suffered a temporary setback in the state budget negotiations. Noticeably absent from the budget agreement reached on June 2 is any new funding for programs from Cap and Trade auction revenues. Read more...

USEPA Confirms California Should Receive More SRF Dollars
CASA has long argued that California is not receiving close to its fair share of funding under the current formula for allocating money to the states under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. In a CASA victory, the United States Environmental Protection Agency published its report to Congress detailing options to revise the Clean Water Act's SRF allotment formula that was last reviewed in 1987. Read more...
Booking (or Canceling) your Room for the CASA Annual Conference? Please Read!
Our annual conference is right around the corner, and hotel rooms under our reserved block fill up fast. If you are attending the conference and have trouble booking a room at the reduced rate, please contact Cheryl Mackelvie via email or at 916.446.0388.

If you have reserved a room and need to cancel, please let Cheryl know so she can transfer the discounted rate to another CASA member. Thank you. 
Mixed Bag
Bloggers wanted! Do you feel passionate about a particular topic and want to engage others? Would you like to share a project you're proud of, or an experience that may help other CASA members? CASA is looking for guest bloggers. Big ideas but not much of a writer? No problem - we can help. Just send an email to Brooke Sobol. 

On June 7 the State Water Resources Control Board approved a new General Order for non-potable recycled water use. Here's CASA's perspective...

The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program is seeking volunteers to provide feedback on the program's application materials. Volunteers must be potential applicants to the program, such as government entities, corporations, partnerships, and State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. Learn more about WIFIA here, and contact Karen Fligger if you're interested in volunteering. 

Almost two years ago, California voters passed Proposition 1 - a $7.5 billion water bond intended to provide significant investments in the state's drought-challenged water systems. Today, Californians may wonder how the state is spending these funds. Read the Public Policy Institute of America blog: How is California Spending the Water Bond?

The application deadline for the California Product Stewardship Council's annual Arrow Awards is June 27. Categories include: 
  • Green Arrow Award for System and Design Innovations
  • Bow and Arrow Award for Coalition Building
  • Infinity Arrow Award for Service and Take-Back
See their awards page for details.

Now Hiring!

CASA members have numerous opportunities available. Visit our Job Board for details. 

Agency News
Encina Wastewater Authority has honored local businesses that achieved 100 percent compliance with all wastewater discharge permit requirements for 2015 with its prestigious Gold Award. See the list of winners in the press release...

Rufus Chaney
Dr. Rufus Chaney, a senior research agronomist and noted figure in the world of biosolids, is retiring after 47 years with the USDA. Dr. Chaney has published hundreds of research papers on all aspects of biosolids and the fate and transport of constituents in them. He was instrumental in the scientific peer review process undertaken by the expert W-170 research group, which brought significant change to the final federal biosolids regulations in 40 CFR part 503. He also conducted extensive research to quantify the benefits of biosolids and biosolids compost in the reclamation of superfund mine sites, contaminated urban brownfields, and other reclamation projects. The research conducted by Dr. Chaney stands as the seminal credible work adhering to the strictest of scientific principles and as the foundation in support of biosolids land application. We wish Rufus all the best in retirement and offer sincere gratitude for his lifetime of work on biosolids.
Events

Date
Organization
Event
Location
June 29-30Rethink Methane Sacramento
July 10-13NACWAUtility Leadership ConferenceDenver, CO
July 19, 2016
CASA
Martinez
July 20, 2016CASA Los Angeles
Aug. 10-12, 2016
CASAAnnual Conference Monterey
Aug. 24-26, 2016
Urban Water Institute San Diego
Jan. 18-20, 2017CASA Palm Springs
In Case You Missed It...
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