Links to Infrastructure-Related Organizations

Amended July 19, 2012

American Backflow Prevention Association
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Public Works Association
American Society of Civil Engineers

American Society of Plumbing Engineers

American Society of Sanitary Engineering

American Supply Association (ASA)

American Water Works Association

Association of Independent Manufacturers/Representatives

Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
American Planning Association
American Public Transportation Association
Design-Build Institute of America

Green Mechanical Council

The Infrastructure Security Partnership

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials

International Hydropower Association
National Association of State Energy Officials
National Association of Clean Water Agencies
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissions
National Association of Water Companies
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
National Rural Water Association
Partnership for Critical Infrastructure Security

Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association

Plumbing Manufacturers Institute

Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association
Water Environment Federation
Water Infrastructure Now

World Plumbing Council

World Toilet Organization

Links to Infrastructure-Related Government Agencies

Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
-Economic Development Administration
Department of Defense
-Army Corps of Engineers
Department of Energy
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Interior
Department of Transportation
-Federal Highway Administration
-Federal Transit Administration
Environmental Protection Agency

Water Resources News

Courts Could Affect Uses of Lake Lanier
Decisions from two federal courts could affect the use of water in Lake Lanier. In a case before the Supreme Court, Georgia is seeking validation of it’s agreement with the Corp of Engineers to use the lake as a water supply. A U.S. District Court is considering whether Congress purposed to use the lake as a drinking water source when it authorized its construction.

Additional Information
Court rulings could settle water war (Atlanta Constitution-Journal, Aug. 21, 2008)
Water Resources News

Environmental Protection Agency Considers What’s Navigable on Los Angeles River
The Environmental Protection Agency has taken the unusual step of starting its own assessment of whether the upper reaches of the Los Angeles River and its tributaries are traditional navigable waters. Such a determination would affect whether the federal Clean Water Act would apply to the waterways. The Corp of Engineers has already determined that the lower 50 miles of the river are navigable.

Additional Information
Los Angeles River may get protection through the Clean Water Act (Los Angeles Times, Aug. 19, 2008)

McCain Backs Off Renegotiation of Colorado River Water Compact
Sen. John McCain, presumptive Republican nominee for president, recently backed off comments he made indicating support for a gradual renegotiation of an agreement that has governed water rights and use along the Colorado River since 1922. He says his comments were misunderstood and he does not support a change to the agreement. Reaction to the concept of renegotiating was largely negative in the affected states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) and Democrats have sought to make it a campaign issue in the region.

Additional Information
McCain now says Western water pact should stand (National Examiner [Associated Press], Aug. 20, 2008)

Water Resources News

Judge Winnows Down Central Question in Lake Lanier Case

U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson has announced that the first question to be decided in an ongoing multi-state battle for water in Lake Lanier is whether or not metropolitan Atlanta has the right to use the lake as a primary water supply. Alabama and Florida, which originated the suit against the Corp of Engineers to keep it from providing more water from the lake to Atlanta, argue that the drinking water supply was not a purpose for which the lake was authorized, but a secondary benefit. Georgia officials argue that drinking water supply was an original purpose of the lake.

Additional information:
Question of right to water central in Lanier case (Stacy Shelton, Atlanta Journal-Consitution, Aug. 12, 2008)

Bridge Corrosion Bill Introduced

Sen. Sherrod Brown (Ohio) introduced the Bridge Life Extension Act of 2008 (S. 3319). The bill would require the submission and approval of corrosion prevention and mitigation plans before provision of some federal funding for new bridge construction.

House Passes National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act

The House of Representatives has passed the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008 (H.R. 3999). The bill modifies laws related to the inventory and inspection of bridges on federally assisted highways.

Long-Term Energy Assurance and Security Act Introduced in House

Rep. Gene Green (Texas) has introduced the Long-Term Energy Assurance and Security Enhancement (LEASE) Act of 2008 (H.R. 6670). The bill would modify laws related to leasing of mineral extraction rights in the Gulf of Mexico and other areas of the Outer Continental Shelf.

Related proposals:
More Oil Drilling Bills Proposed
Bill Introduced to Allow Drilling in Continental Shelf

Clean Water Affordability Act Introduced to Senate

Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio) has introduced the Clean Water Affordability Act (S. 3443). The bill modifies and extends appropriations authorization for sewer overflow grants through 2013. It also directs the Environmental Protection Agency to update its guidance on financial capacity assessment and schedule development related to combined sewer overflow projects.

Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Meets September 17

The Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee will meet on September 17, 2008, beginning at 9 am in Washington, DC. The committee advises the Surface Transportation Board on the transportation by rail of energy resources. The meeting is open to the public. You can find more details here.

Follow-Up: Environmental Protection Agency Opts Not to Regulate Studied Contaminants

We previously covered the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision not to regulate 11 candidate contaminants in drinking water. The agency has now published it’s decision in the federal register, which you can find here.

Forest Service Seeks Nominees for Advisory Council

The U.S. Forest Services is seeking three members for the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council. They are seeking: -A person that is not an officer or employee of any government body living in a city with a population of more than 50,000 and who has experience and has been active in urban and community forestry.-A person representing academic institutions with an expertise in urban and community forestry activities.-A person representing forest products, nursery, or related industries. Nominations must be postmarked no later than September 3, 2008. You can find out more about the nomination process here.