Redistributed as a Service of the National Library for the Environment*
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Redistributed as a Service of the National Library for the Environment* |
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A Directory of Some Interest Groups and Governmental Organizations Concerned With National Environmental Policies
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials444 North Capitol St., N.W., Suite 307 Executive Director: S. William Becker Telephone: (202) 624-7864 Membership: Members include local air pollution control officials representing more than 165 metropolitan areas across the country. Educational Outreach: The Association sponsors conferences, conducts surveys, and publishes educational materials. Programs and Resources: The Association promotes air pollution control and communication among members, local agencies, and Federal and State regulatory agencies. It holds semiannual membership meetings. Selected Publications:
Association of State Drinking Water Administrators1911 North Fort Myer Dr., Suite 1100 Executive Director: Vanessa M. Leiby Telephone: (703) 524-2428 Membership: Members of ASDWA are the State drinking water managers and regulatory personnel from the 50 States and six Territorial drinking water programs. Programs and Resources: ASWDA is the professional association serving State and Territorial drinking water programs. Specifically, the association: 1) oversees States on issues regarding the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act; 2) represents States in communicating with the Environmental Protection Agency and Congress on key issues related to drinking water, including appropriations for State programs, new legislation, and program efficiency and effectiveness; 3) informs States about Federal and State initiatives; and 4) provides training for State employees and information to the public regarding implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Educational Outreach: ASWDA conducts workshops, training sessions, and seminars. It keeps its members informed through a newsletter, an annual conference, and periodic mailings. Selected Publications:
Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators750 First St., N.E., Suite 910 Executive Director: Roberta Savage Telephone: (202) 898-0905 Membership: ASIWPCA is the national, nonpartisan professional organization of State water quality program administrators. Members include the government officials who daily implement surface and groundwater protection programs throughout the Nation. Members represent the 50 States, the Interstate Agencies, the Territories, and the District of Columbia. Programs and Resources: The primary objectives of ASIWPCA are to foster State program development through technical and management information exchange, to promote the development of sound national water policy, to assist the Nation's Governors in developing policy by providing technical information on the Clean Water Program, to inform Congress and the Administration about State water program issues and future needs, and to promote personal stewardship for and public awareness of our Nation's waters. The Association also conducts research. Task Forces are the backbone of the organization. The procedures of ASIWPCA are unique in that all positions are developed and approved by the State officials responsible for water program implementation. The six task forces are: Compliance and Enforcement, Groundwater, Municipal Assistance, Nonpoint Sources, Standards and Monitoring, and State Management and Funding. Two committees exist: the Clean Water Act Reauthorization Committee and the Wetlands Committee. It is the charge of each Task Force and Committee to advance State technical expertise, to monitor and assess issues of key interest to States, to develop recommendations for membership consideration, and to coordinate through the Association's Washington Office with program offices of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Educational Outreach: ASWIPCA maintains a speaker's bureau and holds two conventions each year, one in August and one in Washington, D.C. in February. The Association publishes brochures, conference proceedings, an annual report, and position statements. Selected Publications:
Council of State Governments444 North Capitol St., Suite 401 Executive Director: Daniel M. Sprague Telephone: (202) 624-5460 Membership: The 50 State governments are members. Individuals in the three branches of government participate in Council activities. Programs and Resources: The Council promotes strong and competent State government. It serves as a research and communication hub by receiving, generating, analyzing, and disseminating information relevant to public policy. Additionally, the Council helps States to solve specific problems with policies and programs. The Council operates the National Task Force on Environment, Regional Legislative Committees, and the Center for Environment. Educational Outreach: The Council sponsors annual meetings (national and regional), other regularly scheduled meetings, publications, databases, and inquiry services. The Council maintains a speakers' bureau and organizes conferences. The Council also awards developers of innovative and outstanding products, conducts research, and compiles data for constituents. Selected Publications:
National Association of Conservation Districts509 Capitol Court, N.E President: Gerald B. Digerness
Telephone: (202) 547-6223 Membership: Members of NACD are nearly 3,000 conservation districts. These districts are local units of government, directed by elected or appointed officials, who work with land users in their communities to address local resource management needs. Other members include State associations of conservation districts, State soil and water conservation agencies, individual district officials and other conservation-minded individuals. Programs and Resources: NACD is the nonprofit association that represents and provides services for the Nation's soil, water, and resource conservation districts, which include over 90 percent of the Nation's privately owned land. NACD and its member districts coordinate with Federal and State conservation agencies to implement a variety of conservation-related programs in such areas as: water quality, wetlands, erosion control, agricultural conservation, urban and community conservation, forestry, farmland preservation, and grazing land conservation. On the Federal level, recent issues in which NACD has been involved include funding for soil and water conservation programs, reauthorization of the Clean Water Act (especially its wetlands and nonpoint source pollution control provisions), the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1991, and the conservation and forestry titles of the 1990 Farm Bill. Educational Outreach: NACD maintains a reference library, holds an annual convention, and bestows awards. Selected Publications:
National Association of State Forestersc/o Terri Bates Washington Rep: Terri Bates Telephone: (202) 624-5415 Membership: Membership in NASF is only open to the directors of the State and territorial forestry agencies. Members are the legally constituted authorities for public forestry work in the States. Programs and Resources: The members of NASF are responsible for the protection and management of the 300 million acres of State and private forest lands in the U.S. through intergovernmental coordination. NASF promotes sustainable, multiple resource management of these forests. The Association compiles statistics and historical information on member agencies. Educational Outreach: The NASF is an active partner in a number of conservation education programs, including cooperative efforts with the USDA Forest Service and the American Forest Foundation. NASF is a partner (along with the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council) in the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Campaign, better known by its symbol, Smokey Bear. Education and outreach is typically a major component of State forestry programs. Selected Publications:
National Association of Towns and Townships1522 K St., N.W., Suite 600 Executive Director: Jeffrey H. Schiff Telephone: (202) 737-5200 Membership: Members of NATaT are small and rural town and township governments. NATaT also has small municipalities as members which are not town or township governments but which have become "direct" members. Programs and Resources: NATaT is concerned with Federal legislation and regulatory actions that affect small local governments. It attempts to educate Federal policy makers about the nature and resources of small governments and to propose flexible and alternative approaches to Federal policies to ensure that small communities can meet Federal requirements. NATaT represents small, local governments before Congress, the White House, and Federal agencies. The Association also serves local governments by providing technical assistance and educational programs. Educational Outreach: NATaT produces videos, sponsors an annual educational conference and training workshops, and publishes various guides for local officials responsible for environmental management. Selected Publications:
National Governors' AssociationHall of States Executive Director: Raymond C. Scheppach Telephone: (202) 624-5300 Membership: Members of NGA are the Governors of the 50 States, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. Programs and Resources: NGA serves as a vehicle through which Governors influence the development and implementation of national policy and apply creative leadership to State problems. NGA keeps the Federal Government informed of the needs and perceptions of the States. Through its Office of State Services, NGA disseminates information on innovative programs among the States and provides technical assistance on a wide range of issues. The Center for Policy Research conducts demonstration projects and policy research. NGA has a Committee on Energy and the Environment and a Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. Educational Outreach: NGA has a reference library and archives, compiles statistical information, and operates an award program. Selected Publications:
National League of Cities1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Executive Director: Donald J. Borut Telephone: (202) 626-3000 Membership: Cities of all sizes are members. Mayors and City Council Members are most active in the League. Programs and Resources: NLC promotes communication and cooperation among city officials and represents cities before the U.S. Congress. NLC conducts surveys and research as the basis for formulating policy options. Educational Outreach: NLC has a 2,000 volume library and conducts the National League of Cities Institute Selected Publications:
State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators444 North Capitol St., N.W., Suite 307 Executive Director: S. William Becker Telephone: (202) 624-7864 Programs and Resources: STAPPA fosters communication and cooperation among States and with Federal and local regulatory agencies. Educational Outreach: STAPPA sponsors conferences, conduct surveys, publishes educational materials and holds semiannual membership meetings. Selected Publications:
State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials444 N. Capitol St., N.W Suite 388 Executive Director: Thomas J. Kennedy Telephone: (202) 624-5828 Membership: ASTSWMO is the national, nonpartisan organization representing State waste programs. Members are the directors of State waste programs of the 50 States, interstate agencies, Territories, and the District of Columbia. Programs and Resources: ASTSWMO works with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop and promote management programs for all waste program activities. ASTSWMO has committees on Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, CERCLA, Underground Storage Tanks, Waste Programs, Pollution Prevention, and Training and Informational Exchange. The Association conducts studies and analyzes issues related to solid and hazardous waste management. Educational Outreach: ASTSWMO shares information on technology and management among States and assists in training State employees in key areas of waste management. ASTSWMO holds annual membership meetings, training workshops, and roundtables. Selected Publications:
The United States Conference of Mayors1620 Eye St., N.W. Executive Director: J. Thomas Cochran Telephone: (202) 293-7330 Membership: The United States Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with a population of more than 30,000. There are well over 1,000 such cities in the country today. Each of these cities is represented by its chief elected official, the mayor. Membership dues are based on the population of the city. Programs and Resources: The Conference serves the mayors and the citizens of America's principal cities and calls national attention to the challenges and the potential of urban America. The Conference conducts research, compiles statistics, and has nine policy committees. One committee covers energy and the environment. The Conference holds an annual meeting in June, at which each committee recommends the policy positions that they believe should be adopted by the organization. Each mayor casts one vote. The Conference operates specific programs in solid waste management: the National Composting Program, the Annual Resource Recovery Conference, the Resource Recovery Leadership Institute, the "Buy Recycled" Campaign, the National Office Paper Recycling Project, the National Recycling Awards Program, and the Coalition on Resource Recovery and the Environment. Educational Outreach: The Conference provides educational material, technical assistance, awards, and legislative information to cities. A meeting is held each January in Washington, D.C. Selected Publications:
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