In response to a letter from the EPA to Senator Charles Schumer of New York stating that the EPA would be reviewing the need for New York to spend $1.6 billion to cover its Hillview Reservoir, Commissioner Leonard wrote Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, Congressman Blumenauer, and Congressman Schrader a letter requesting their continued assistance with the City's efforts to avoid the substantial ratepayer costs of covering or replacing Portland's open reservoirs.
UPDATE 08.23.11
Based on the EPA's recent announcement that they would be reviewing the LT2 rule as it pertains to open finished drinking water storage, David Shaff, Administrator of the Portland Water Bureau, submitted a letter to the Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Program. In the letter, Administrator Shaff requests that the State indefinitely suspend enforcement of the City's approved LT2 compliance schedule for the City's open reservoirs until the EPA completes its review to enable the City to consider other methods of compliance that may result from the EPA review of the rule.
See Oregonian coverage here.
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Click here to read the EPA's letter to New York Senator Charles Schumer announcing the review of the LT2 rule. -- 08.19.11
Click here to read Commissioner Leonard's letter to Portland's federal delegation requesting assistance in pursuing the alternative compliance methods being considered for New York. -- 08.22.11
Click here for Water Bureau Administrator David Shaff's letter requesting a suspension of the City's LT2 compliance schedule for open reservoirs. -- 08.23.11
Click here for a letter from the entire Portland City Council requesting the assistance of Senator Jeff Merkley in pursuing relief from the reservoir requirements of LT2. -- 09.13.11
Click here for a letter from Senators Merkley and Wyden, and Representatives Blumenauer, DeFazio, and Schrader requesting relief and flexibility from the reservoir requirements of LT2. -- 10.24.11