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WESTCAS Federal Legislative/ Regulatory Workshop

Explore key regulatory and legislative issues in water resources at the WESTCAS Federal Workshop. Discuss the 2019 priorities and strategic plans, including the Drought Contingency Plan. Stay updated on the 116th Congress changes and the President's Infrastructure Plan. Learn about the Water Quality Protection & Job Creation Act of 2019 and the FY2020 Budget Request implications. Get insights on agency funding and appropriations status. Engage in meaningful discussions on infrastructure initiatives and federal priorities. Enhance your understanding of the legislative landscape and contribute to WESTCAS initiatives.

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WESTCAS Federal Legislative/ Regulatory Workshop

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  1. February 28, 2019 WESTCAS Federal Legislative/Regulatory Workshop

  2. WORKSHOP Overview Meeting Purpose & Strategic Plan Session 1 – Proposed 2019 Regulatory/Legislative Priorities Session 2 – Building a WESTCAS Action Portfolio Session 3 – WESTCAS Initiative Development Flexibility Built-in to allow discussion!

  3. Thursday, February 28th Opening Networking & Continental BrkfstWelcome, Logistics & SafetyMeeting Purpose & IntroductionsWESTCAS Strategic Plan 9:30 am – Noon

  4. Thursday, February 28th Opening Networking & Continental BrkfstWelcome, Logistics & SafetyMeeting Purpose & IntroductionsWESTCAS Strategic Plan 9:30 am – Noon

  5. Thursday, February 28th Session 1: Overview, Update Key Regulatory IssuesKey Legislative IssuesDrought Contingency Plan 9:30 am – Noon

  6. Thursday, February 28th Session 1: Overview, Update Key Regulatory IssuesKey Legislative IssuesDrought Contingency Plan 9:30 am – Noon

  7. Thursday, February 28th Session 1: Overview, Update Key Regulatory IssuesKey Legislative IssuesDrought Contingency Plan 9:30 am – Noon

  8. Thursday, February 28th Session 1: Overview, Update Key Regulatory IssuesKey Legislative IssuesDrought Contingency Plan 9:30 am – Noon

  9. Key Legislative Issues Introducing the 115th Congress C;Hicks-Ray Associates Prep for Workshop Discussion & Input (Sessions 2 & 3) 116th Congress – Pertinent Changes Status of WESTCAS Legislative Issues (Session 1) WESTCAS Priority Consideration

  10. WESTCAS Priorities Relative to WESTCAS & Arid-West, where is Congress & the Administration focusing Funding (FY2020 Approp Cycle) Infrastructure(New Authorization & Funding) 116th Congress (New Cmt & Subcmt, Key Legislation) WESTCAS Builds on its Federal Portfolio

  11. Infrastructure Initiatives • President Trump Infrastructure Plan (from 2017 to the Present) • Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2019

  12. President’s Infrastructure Initiative

  13. President Trump Infrastructure Plan • Senate Minority Leader Schumer has announced that to win Senate Democratic votes for his infrastructure plan it will be necessary to incorporate climate change into the package. • We should know more details the week of March 11 when the President releases the highlights of his FY2020 budget proposal to the Congress and still more the week of March 18 when agency-by-agency details of the FY2020 budget are released. Something to Watch

  14. Water Quality Protection & Job Creation Act of 2019

  15. Reauthorize the Clean Water Act SRF for the first time since 1994 • Two new programs that address combined and sanitary sewer overflows and stormwater reuse including reclaimed wastewater. • Authorizes for 5 years: • $20 billion for the Clean Water SRF. • $1.5 billion for state implementation grants • $600 million for CW pilot programs • $375 million alternative wtr resource projects • $1 billion to states for NPS control • Currently being compiled by House T&I Committee • Rollout soon • Target date to pass the House of late May. • The draft bill gets USEPA into the water reuse business in a big way, making the Federal program truly national for the first time. Water Quality Protection & Job Creation Act of 2019 Monitor & Comment/Support WESTCAS should strongly address this important legislative initiative and make its views known

  16. FY2019 Appropriations

  17. FY2019APPROPRIATIONS End of Year Status of Appropriations FUNDED --Energy & Water Appropriations -- Funds the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation --Passed before September 30th -- Congressional Appropriations "Mini Bus." UNFUNDED --Seven FY19 Appropriations bills were left unpassed at the end of the year. --Included Interior & Env most Department of Interior programs and USEPA. LATER --The seven bills were wrapped into H.J. Res 31 --Passed by the Congress in February, completing the FY19 Appropriations cycle

  18. “Mini” Bus funding Bureau of Reclamation --$1.392 billion for Water and Related Resources. --$58.62 million for Title XVI. Army Corps of Engineers --$125 million for Corps Investigations. --$2.183 billion for Construction --$3.740 billion for O&M

  19. HJ Res 31 Funding  EPA Funding: --$8.8 billion… Total Funding --$1.7 billion… Clean Water SRF --$1.2 billion… Drinking Water SRF --$68 million… WIFIA

  20. HJ Res 31 Funding  USGS Funding: --$1.2 billion total -- Water Resources at $226 million …. of this $61.7 million for Cooperative Matching

  21. FY2020 Appropriations Cycle

  22. FY2020 Budget Request – Dates & Delays • Shut-down, breaks & delays increase the chance that we will see more Continuing Resolutions in order to keep the Federal government open after September 30.

  23. WESTCAS Response to FY20 Request -- Need to review Budget highlights (~ Mar 11th) & detailed agency budget for water resources related budgets ~ Mar 25th -- Discuss futher and schedule action during Session 3 Monitor & Comment/Support Agency Funding

  24. 116th Congress Changes in Committee/Subcommittee WOW and other changes!

  25. Key Committee Name Changes • On the House Natural Resources Committee the Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans has changed to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife (WOW) chaired by Congressman Jared Huffman [D:CA]. • On the House Energy and Commerce Committee the Subcommittee on Environment has now changed its name to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.

  26. Key Committees Discussion House Committees w/ Water Resources Jurisdiction House Committee on Natural Resources • Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife has jurisdiction • Jurisdiction over the Bureau of Reclamation and its programs. • Chairs full Committee is Raul Grijalva of Arizona, California Congressman Jared Huffman chairs the WOW Subcommittee • To Note: Jared Huffman represents the areas north of San Francisco through Sonoma County and points north chairs it. A former NRDC attorney Mr. Huffman often opposes legislation supported by the water resources community but he s willing to discuss issues. Transportation & Infrastructure Committee • Subcommittee on Water and the Environment. • Jurisdiction over the EPA Clean Water Act and the Army Corps of Engineers • Chairs full Committee is Peter DeFasio or Oregon; the Subcommittee is Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California • To Note: Congresswoman Napolitano represents the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles and has been for many years a water resources champion and leader. Mrs. Napolitano is actively seeking the support of water advocacy groups like WESTCAS for her “Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2019” legislation.

  27. 116th Congress Legislation

  28. Water Quality Protection & Job Creation Act of 2019 -- Need to review final version (~ early March) & follow comments & discussion within Committee and by other Associations -- Discuss futher and schedule action during Session 3

  29. Lacey Act & Interstate Transfers • 116th House Actions: • Congressman Louis Gohmert [R:TX] reintroduced H.R. 29, the “Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2019” • To Note: • Bill referred to Natural Resources & Judiciary • Identical to bill submitted in 115 • Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas • Open to adding States • 116th Senate Actions: • Senator Ted Cruz [R:TX] is preparing to re-introduce his S. 789 from the 115th Congress, [The Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2019] in the near future. • To Note: • Senator Cruz is open to adding to the number of affected states in his bill and • HRA has suggested that CA, AZ, NV, CO, NM, and CO be added to the mix.

  30. Lacey Act & Interstate Transfers • Opportunity for WESTCAS Brd and indv member agencies: • write to Senator Cruz asking that these additional states be added to the bill • Challenge H.R. 29 and its Senate companion can provide a vehicle for initiating conversation: • withCommittee Democrats concerning how federal invasive species policy affects interstate water supply in the Arid West. • Supportwidespread regional support: • WESTCAS can lead the effort to expand the reach of the “Pubic Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act” to the Arid West. Monitor & Comment/Support

  31. Title XVI Updates -- Udpate on current status --Upcoming Budget support -- Discuss futher and schedule action during Session 3 Monitor & Comment/Support

  32. Water Conservation Rebates -- Udpate on current status --Potential in 116th Congress -- Discuss futher and schedule actions during Session 3 Monitor & Comment/Support

  33. Recent 116th Hearings of Interest “The State of Water Supply Reliability in the 21st Century” “Examining How Federal Infrastructure Policy Could Help Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change” • February 26 hearing • House Natural Resources Committee’s subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife (WOW) • February 26 hearing • House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on infrastructure (full Committee hearing)

  34. Thursday, February 28th Session 1: Overview, Update Key Regulatory IssuesKey Legislative IssuesDrought Contingency Plan 9:30 am – Noon

  35. Thursday, February 28th Continuing to Build the WESTCAS Porfolio Session 2: ~ Noon – ~1:00 pm

  36. Review & Updates? WESTCAS Position Paper WOTUS Statement Complete – 3/22/2018 Water Conservation Rebate Statement Complete – 4/19/2018 Title XVI Competitive Grant Statement Complete – 4/19/2018 Salinity Water Quality Standards Statement Complete – 4/19/2018 Lacey Act Statement Complete – 3/13/2018 Whole Effluent Toxicity Statement Complete – 3/12/2009

  37. Thursday, February 23rd Session 3: Building the WESTCAS Message ~ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

  38. Identify & Act Ongoing & Emerging WESTCAS Issues & Update Water Quality & Jobs Creation Act WOTUS Lacey Act Water Conservation Rebate Title XVI Reauthorization WRDA Reauthorization

  39. Lacey Act & Interstate Transfers Possibilities & How WESTCAS can have input.

  40. Title XVI Competitive Grant Year One & Two Issues & One-Fund Program & Truly Competitive? How WESTCAS can have input.

  41. Title XVI Competitive Grant Update on Interest New Congress: Opportunity or Problem? How WESTCAS can have input.

  42. An Overall Arid West Strategy • POSITIVE STEPS • Positions & Policies on pertinent regulations & legislation • IDENTIFY • Rules, regulations, guidance of concern • Anticipated legislative action • ACT • Specific actions, timing and targets • COORDINATE & COOPERATIVE • With other Water Associations, agencies • PRIORITIZE & SCHEDULE • Regulatory & legislative actions

  43. Supporting Congress Plus-Ups Possible WESTCAS Action Bold = recently added outreach method

  44. Handouts & Input

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