Legislative Update
Ocean Discharge Legislation Dies
SB 332 (Hertzberg & Wiener) was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee during the “suspense file” hearing conducted on May 16 and will not move any further. The action by the Committee was preceded by several months of substantial lobbying by CASA and other stakeholders in opposition to the bill.
CASA-Sponsored Wipes Labeling Legislation Held as “Two-Year Bill”
CASA’s sponsored bill on wipes labeling, AB 1672 (Bloom) was held over as a “two-year bill” during the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s hearing on May 16. This is an unusual procedural move from the Appropriations Committee which typically holds bills “on suspense,” rendering them dead indefinitely. However, by making the bill a “two-year bill,” AB 1672 will be eligible to move again at the beginning of the 2020 legislative session.
Concerning Denitrification Provisions Amended Out of
SB 69
SB 69 (Wiener) was significantly amended in order to be passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 16. CASA had been strongly opposing the bill because of provisions requiring the State Water Resources Control Board to amend the California Ocean Plan and California Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Plan to include specified water quality objectives and effluent limitations and specifically require all ocean and bay dischargers to adopt, incorporate or improve denitrification protocols. The most recent amendments removed several sections of the bill including the provisions CASA was strongly objecting to which allowed us to move to a neutral position. 
Federal Funding Package Moves Out of Appropriations
Last week, the House Committee on Appropriations approved the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2020 spending bill by a party line vote of 30-21. The bill now heads to the House floor for debate. It will fund the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its crucial water infrastructure programs that CASA agencies rely upon for assistance.

The total budget is just over $9 billion with these provisions:

  • Clean Water State Revolving Fund is funded at $1.8 billion
  • Continued support for the WIFIA Program by funding it at $50 million
  • Support for ongoing activities related to integrated planning
  • Language directing USEPA to focus on addressing and treating PFAS contamination in drinking water with various programmatic funding resources to support such actions 
Regulatory Update
State Water Board Hosts Workshops on Collection System General Order
The State Water Board recently hosted a series of workshops to discuss proposed changes to the Sanitary Sewer System Waste Discharge Requirements. The workshops across the state were well attended by CASA member agencies and other stakeholder representatives. Presentations and takeaway slides from the workshops are available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/sso/
Stay Connected with Colleagues at August Annual Conference
Are you ahead of the curve on innovative ways to manage your agency? Do you feel relevant in the accelerated, ever-changing environment?   We’ve got solutions for you at our Annual Conference in August!

Connecting with peers and experts within our field is one of the most valuable CASA membership benefits. We will take deep dives into hot regulatory topics, a media training lab, sessions on prepping the future workforce and developing the next generation of water pros and “policy and pints” at a local brewery!
 
Join us at the 64 th Annual Conference in San Diego Wednesday through Friday, August 21-23. Cutoff date for special room rates is July 30. Stay tuned for details on speakers and the official program. 
Member News
Congrats to Orange County Sanitation and Santa Rosa Leaders
Help us give a big CASA welcome to Lan Wiborg, the recently selected Director of Environmental Services at Orange County Sanitation District! Lan comes to OCSD with more than 20 years water and wastewater utility experience. She recently served as the City of San Diego’s Deputy Public Utilities Director of Long-Range Planning and Water Resources. Hats off, Lan!
In other news, the City of Santa Rosa has recently appointed Jennifer Burke to serve as the Director of the Water Department, a role that oversees all operations including wastewater collection and treatment. Jennifer has been with the City of Santa Rosa Water Department since 2003 and, in March, she was appointed as the Interim Water Director during the recruitment process. Congratulations, Jennifer!
Let us Spread your News!
Do you have interesting news to share with our members? We want to hear it!

Please add Debbie Welch’s contact information to your organization’s mailing list so we can share your news through CASA’s communication channels. Debbie’s email is: DWelch@casaweb.org . 
Mark Your Calendar
Sign up Now for Innovative Technology Seminars
In September 2019, CASA and CWEA will offer one-day classes on innovative technology advancements for biosolids and renewable energy and the regulations that govern them.

The workshops usually sell out so please register early. Please hold the following dates:
  
  • Wednesday, September 11, at S.F. Regional Water Quality Control Board, Oakland
  • Tuesday, September 17 at L.A. Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion, Los Angeles

An agenda and registration information will be provided soon but save the date! CWEA certificate holders will earn contact hours for technological advancements and regulatory requirements in the wastewater fields. 
Brown Bag Seminars Coming Your Way
Several California environmental agencies will be jointly hosting a series of Brown Bag Seminars about Integrating the Bay and Delta with a focus on water quality. The free seminars are open to the public with no RSVP required. All talks will be held at Park Tower Building in Sacramento and will be webcasted and recorded.
Aug. 21-23, 2019
Sept. 11, 2019
Innovative Technology Seminar, Oakland
Sept. 17, 2019
Innovative Technology Seminar, Los Angeles