This month’s Common Ground Alliance update includes a preview of the CGA Annual Excavation Safety Conference and Expo held March 8-10, 2011 in Orlando, FL (more information here), Technical Assistance Grants Applications, what to expect from the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) in the coming year, and early details on 811 day this August.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has released its summary document of state damage prevention laws. The document summarizes state damage prevention laws relative to specific characteristics of the laws as they relate to requirements applicable to excavators and utility operators.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR) for the rest of FY11, which will fund the government after the current CR expires on March 4.

President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget request makes good on the administration’s pledge to cut spending levels. Under the president’s plan, FY12 funding for the CWSRF would be $1.55B, the DWSRF would be $990M, and the RUS Rural Water and Waste Program would be $411M.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced new plans for the agency to regulate chemicals in the nation’s water systems. Among the regulated substances were chemicals such as perchlorate, volatile organic compounds, and hexavalent chromium.

Peter Silva, the top water quality official at the Environmental Protection Agency, is leaving EPA In February. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, in a memo to staff, said Silva is stepping down as assistant administrator for water on February 12, 2011.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) announced the chairmen for each of the subcommittees under him for the 112th Congress.

As the 112th Congress convenes and the new legislative season begins to take shape, the picture for water infrastructure funding becomes a little clearer.

AGC has been meeting regularly with the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) and other industry stakeholders concerning an upcoming rulemaking on federal enforcement for 3rd party excavation damage where state damage prevention programs are deemed inadequate.

The 111th Congress saw Democratic control of both chambers by significant margins and the White House. The Senate Democrats had a 60 vote supermajority for a time and the House Democrats held an overwhelming majority of the seats. Several key bills advanced through significant legislative hurdles, but much work was left unfinished at the end of the 111th Congress, setting the stage for future legislative action.