Representatives of the IPPCA Legislative Action Team (LAT) Executive Director Dave Jones and Director of External Affairs Freddie Combas, were in Washington, D.C. Aug. 14. The purpose of this trip was to meet with other Green Industry Coalition (GIC) representatives in an informal face-to-face meeting with the EPA.
The meeting was hosted by Andy Smith, external affairs officer of the Irrigation Association (IA). The GIC has a multitude of concerns over language in the landscaping section of the newly proposed EPA Water Sense New Home Specifications Program that is poised to be launched before the end of the year.
The current EPA language has drastic restrictions on turf, landscape amenities and irrigation, as well as a total ban on ornamental water features, which could have adverse short and long-term effects to the multi-billion dollar Green Industry and to the environment. The IPPCA LAT led in the formation of a pond and waterscape industry coalition that includes major businesses, associations, manufacturers and hobbyists involved in the pond and waterscape industry. The IPPCA LAT diligently worked to create new language for the EPA that would be more favorable and acceptable to the pond and waterscape industry. In less than 24 hours the newly proposed language was signed and endorsed by more than 145 concerned entities.
"When I heard that the IPPCA was attending this meeting, I felt that it was the least we could do as a major manufacturer of Pond and Waterscape equipment to assist those that are out there aggressively protecting our industry and interests," says Jeff Weemhoff, president of Atlantic Water Gardens.
The EPA representatives present at the meeting were; Senior Policy Advisor, Infrastructure Finance, Michael Deane; Director of Municipal Support Division, Sheila Frace; Water Efficiency Program Manager, John Flowers; Water Sense Coordinator, Stephanie Tanner and several other staff members. All of the GIC concerns were presented to the EPA, along with a host of scientific test data and possible alternate solutions. One of the main solutions of the many that were presented was the need for proper education on efficient water use as it pertains to the outdoor landscape. Efficient water use by the homeowner and proper water efficient landscape design, amenity choices and qualified installation by the contractor(s) were the primary focus.
The GIC opposes the approach taken by the current language in the specifications of the proposed program. Freddie Combas presented the IPPCA and Pond and Waterscape Industry Coalition’s opposition to the total ban of Ornamental Water Features saying, "This action represents a total reversal to past EPA actions, grants, programs and recommendations to the general public promoting ponds, waterfalls, streams, and eco-friendly site practices."
The EPA acknowledged that the language as it pertained to ornamental water features was too broad and that clarification was needed.
The IPPCA LAT had alternate proposed language for the ornamental water features section (4.1.4) that was prepared and ready to be presented to the EPA at this meeting. The GIC determined that the Pond and Waterscape Industry Coalition alternate language would have a more favorable impact if presented with the total package that will be submitted to the EPA by the GIC later this month. Comments and feedback will still be heard by the IPPCA LAT if submitted prior to the Sept. 4 public comments deadline established by the EPA.
The IPPCA was met with favor when its LAT representatives renewed the IPPCA’s offer of assistance to the EPA in the revision of Ornamental Water Features 4.1.4.
“The Ornamental Water Feature is often an integral part of the comprehensive landscape and these water features can be quite water efficient," says IA External Affairs Officer Andy Smith. "It is important for the industry and EPA to find ways to reward efficient water use rather than penalize an entire sector of the GREEN Industry for an inaccurate perception. The IPPCA has been highly successful, I feel, in getting that message across loud and clear in a positive fashion to the EPA.”
To find out more, visit www.ippca.com or call 866/484-7722.