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WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING ACT - LOBBYING TOOLS

The MRBPLG is strongly encouraging you to please contact your Senators immediately in Washington, D.C. and ask them to support prompt consideration and passage of the “Water Infrastructure Financing Act” (S. 1005)! This legislation would authorize $39 billion in federal spending to upgrade drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities across the country which includes $1.8 billion in grants to address combined and sanitary sewer overflows (CSOs and SSOs). Portions of Senator Voinovich’s “Clean Water Affordability Act” are included in this bill.

Since the U.S. House of Representatives has already passed its version of S. 1005 (H.R. 1262), now is the time to act so the U.S. Senate can also pass this important legislation! We must show strong support from all of our communities, speak with a unified voice, and send a strong message to Washington, D.C.!

The bill was placed July 2010 on the U.S. Senate’s calendar for consideration, meaning it can come up at any time for floor action. That said, the Senate is quickly running out of floor time. They are off on the August work period/recess right now, and will only have about 4 weeks in session before breaking for the November elections. If the bill, S. 1005, is to move this Congress, it will need to come up either in the September session or the lame duck session following the elections. Putting immediate pressure on the legislators to support the bill and support its consideration will be necessary – there are a lot of bills competing for attention and your Senators need to hear that this bill should take priority. Any communication with the Senators will be helpful – e.g., materials, letters, phone calls, participation in local meetings with the Senators and/or their staff, etc.

The MRBPLG mailed letters and CDs with lobbying support materials to all communities in the Maumee River Basin. Click here to view the letter. Please use the documents on the CD to create your own strong show of support. Materials included on the CD can be found here on our website.

WELCOME TO MRBPLG

The Maumee River Basin Partnership of Local Governments (MRBPLG) is a consortium of cities, towns, villages, townships, counties, watershed management groups, and the regional community, which was founded in March 2001 by the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana and the City of Toledo, Ohio. This Partnership stretches across three state boundaries and focuses on a watershed-based approach to water quality management in the Maumee River Basin.

To read more information about MRBPLG, please see the About MRBPLG page, or click around the website.

In early 2009, the MRBPLG was awarded grant funds from the Walmart Storm Water Compliance Team to provide enhanced training regarding stormwater program requirements; showcase innovative stormwater BMPs; enhance water quality within the basin; and provide increased education and outreach related to water quality impacts. For more information on this grant effort through MRBPLG, please see the Walmart Grant Information page under Basin Resources.