The 2019 National Water Policy Fly-In set a record for attendance and participation in April as more than 320 participants traveled to Washington, D.C. to conduct hundreds of face-to-face meetings with lawmakers and staffers in Congressional offices.
The National Water Policy Fly-In was held April 3-4 at the Hyatt regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
Fly-In participants discussed key issues in the water sector and municipal leaders visited with Congressional representatives, pushing for increased investment on a range of water sector programs including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), the Water Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (WIFIA), and the National Water Research Grant Program, among others.
After a kickoff plenary session with EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, David Ross the event proceeded with informal roundtables and breakout discussion sessions, in addition to the face-to-face meetings on the Hill. Participants has the unique opportunity to interface and interact with the officials and lawmakers impacting water utilities through public policy.
David Ross, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, opened the April 3 plenary session with an update on EPA’s water policy initiatives for 2019.
A presentation on EPA’s water priorities allowed participants to listen as EPA officials discussed their plans for the coming year. Federal agency breakout discussions then followed and covered topics such as “Water Infrastructure Funding, Water Finance, WIFIA and Affordability;” “CSOs and Post-LTCP Compliance, SSOs and Peak Flow Management;” “PFAS and Other CWA/SDWA Intersection Issues;” “Integrated Planning, Stormwater and Green Infrastructure;” and more.
On the evening of April 3, participants were invited to network and celebrate advocacy gains at a Congressional Reception held at the Library of Congress. The Hon. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the US Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, made some brief remarks to attendees, encouraging utility leaders to continue their personal advocacy for water on the all-important local level.
The Hon. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the US Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, made some brief remarks at a reception held at the Library of Congress.
On April 4, participants interacted with congressional members and staffers at the Congressional Breakfast and Joint Water Week Congressional Briefing. The Hon. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Ranking Member of the Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee; and the Hon. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Member of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water, of the US Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, were on hand to champion water infrastructure legislation and funding programs, and to re-emphasize their commitment to supporting Clean Water and to working as partners to advance Clean Water priorities.
