I can't give too many details, but HR 2452, the Sewage Overflow Community Right to Know Act, is going to mark up in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee tomorrow. This was announced late on Friday. Discussions and negotiations about final bill language are being worked out. It's been a tense negotiation. We will give you updates as soon as we have them following tomorrow's mark up.

Good news on the federal Sewage Right to Know Bill (HR 2452/S.2080), which we've covered many times before. The association of sewage agencies (NACWA) recently voted to support the legislation. Previously the group was neutral, and one of their members, Kevin Shafer from Milwaukee gave some good testimony at the House hearing. American Rivers worked long and hard with NACWA to understand their concerns and worked to address some of them - such as clarifying some of the vague terminology in the bill. This is a big deal as getting NACWA's endorsement signals widespread recognition of the need to protect public health and the value in raising awareness about the problems to build support for much needed solutions. As you can see in their letter of support (pdf), NACWA is committed to pursuing a more comprehensive SSO rule as well (the previous rule proposed by EPA was rescinded by the Bush Administration). We'll get sewage right to know one way or the other!

Clcik through to download a copy of NACWA's letter.

Editors Note: I received this message last week - again sorry for the delay in posting - JK

In a February 19th Blue Room ceremony at City Hall, NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg signed Intro 630-A into law. The bill requires the City to conduct a thorough study of stormwater best management practices, determine the estimated costs and benefits of each practice, and provide a stormwater management plan for implementation.

Have you been enjoying your summer, splashing in your stream and swimming in your local lake? You may think you know whether it's safe to take a dip, but depending on where you live, there's a good chance you have no idea.

Given that there is no consistent national standard requiring sewage system operators to alert the public about spills, states play a critical role. But what states actually require public notification after a sewer overflow - in which states can you dive into your local lake or river confident that you won't be paddling through the waste your neighbor flushed down the drain the day before?

Ohio State HouseHere’s a quick update on HB 235, Ohio Sewage Community Right-to-Know bill. The bill just received its first round of hearings on Wednesday, June 20th 2007. Ohio Game Fishing members Dennis Malone, Officer Brandon Smith and I gave testimony in support of the bill before the Ohio House of Representatives Economic Development and Environment Committee at the State House in Columbus Ohio.

When it comes to sewage pollution, what you don’t know can hurt you. Every year, more than 850 billion gallons of raw or partially-treated sewage is dumped into the waters where we fish, swim and play. As a result, millions of people become ill each year from unnecessary contact with disease causing pathogens found in sewage.

Do you remember the e coli outbreak on the bagged spinach back in September - upon getting reports of the tainted veggies, the FDA immediately and rightly issued a warning not to eat the spinach because it was dicey for our health. Similarly, I know that it's unsafe for me to go running outside during the summer when the air pollution alert is orange or red.