Washington Update

Focus Remains on Protection of Critical Infrastructures

With homeland security a top priority in Washington, the White House, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are working together to help protect critical infrastructures.

In March, the White House released the final National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets. For public water supplies, the strategy calls for developing vulnerability assessment methodologies and associated training, establishing a Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC), and asks the EPA and other federal agencies to provide baseline threat information as well as collect and distribute other threat information. Additional suggestions within the strategy included:

• Identifying high-priority vulnerabilities and improving site security, especially to secure key points of storage, treatment and distribution, with the EPA and the DHS providing the tools, training and limited financial assistance for related research. As part of this effort, water systems serving more than 3,300 people are required to submit vulnerability assessments (VAs) to the EPA. Water systems serving over 100,000 people were scheduled to complete their VAs by March 31, 2003; the deadline for systems serving 50,000 to 99,999 is December 31, 2003; the deadline for systems serving 3,300 to 49,999 is June 30, 2004.
• Improving the monitoring and analytical capabilities, with the EPA continuing to lead efforts that will improve information about harmful contaminants.
• Improving information exchange and coordinating contingency planning, with the EPA and DHS leading efforts to ensure the reliability of the Water ISAC and to standardize and coordinate emergency response efforts and communication protocols. Additionally, water systems serving more than 3,300 people are required to submit emergency response plans (ERPs) to the EPA. The ERPs are due no later than six months following the submission of VAs.

The White House document also included a strategy for the public health sector, including state and local health departments, hospitals, health clinics, mental health facilities, nursing homes, blood-supply facilities, laboratories, mortuaries and pharmaceutical stockpiles.

More information is available at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/pcipb/physical.html
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/security/community.html

EPA, Capitol Hill Call Attention to Water Infrastructure Needs

At the end of January, the EPA hosted a public forum drawing national attention to wastewater and drinking water infrastructure issues affecting the country. Held in Washington, D.C. and televised by C-SPAN, the event brought together 280 key stakeholders and leaders from business, government and academia to exchange ideas on ways to meet the challenges of water infrastructure management and investment. EPA Assistant Administrator for Water G. Tracy Mehan III presented a multifaceted strategy, which included improved management, smart water usage and better utilization of price mechanisms.

In March, Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-VT), ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, sent a letter signed by 33 senators to the Senate Budget Committee asking for funding to be increased to at least $5.2 billion for fiscal year 2004 to help local communities meet water quality standards. The letter requests $3.2 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and $2 billion for the Drinking Water SRF.

The senators citied two reports as the basis of their request. The first was the Congressional Budget Office's May 2002 report that estimated the spending gap for clean water needs between $132 billion and $388 billion over 20 years and the spending gap for drinking water needs at between $70 billion and $362 billion over 20 years. The other report was the EPA's September release of "Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis," which found that there will be a $535 billion gap between current spending and projected needs for water and wastewater infrastructure over the next 20 years if additional investments are not made.

More information is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/water/gap_forum.html
http://jeffords.senate.gov/~jeffords/press/03/03/03072003water.html

FDA Takes Steps to Shore Up Safety of U.S. Food Supply

In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced two new proposed regulations designed to ensure the security of the U.S. food supply, in accordance with the Bioterrorism Act of 2002.

One proposal requires food imports to be registered with the agency prior to entering the country. The rule does not apply to food carried in personal baggage for private consumption, nor to meat, poultry or egg products already regulated by the USDA.

The second provision requires domestic and foreign food facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for U.S. consumption to register with the FDA by mid-December 2003. Certain establishments may be exempt, including restaurants, farms and facilities that are already regulated by the USDA.

In March, the FDA took further action by issuing four guidance documents designed to help manufacturers minimize the risk of tampering or other criminal or terrorist actions related to the nation's food supply. The agency also announced increased surveillance of domestic and imported foods, as well as enhanced collaboration with other government agencies. These efforts are a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's "Operation Liberty Shield," a national plan to increase protections for U.S. citizens and the country's infrastructure, while maintaining the free flow of goods and people across the nation's borders.

"The guidance documents…cover each segment of food and cosmetic operations, focusing on practical steps that will improve safety and security," said Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., FDA Commissioner of Food and Drugs. "In conjunction with increased surveillance of domestic and imported foods for biological and chemical agents of terrorism, these steps represent a new level of commitment at FDA to keep the food supply secure."

For more information, please visit:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00865.html
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00866.html
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00881.html
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0115.xml