Date: March 7, 2011

To: Systems who have benefited from the Operator Reimbursement Program

From: Eric Volk, Executive Director

Re: Call to Action‐House Bill 1004‐ND Department of Health Budget

Originally funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the North Dakota Water Operator Reimbursement Program provides funding for certification and training expenses for operators of small public drinking water systems. This was a one‐time grant, administered by the ND Department of Health. Unfortunately, this grant is coming to an end and will run out during the summer of 2011. The ND Department of Health (NDDOH) requested supplemental funding to be included in the Governor’s Budget to continue the Operator Reimbursement Program. This request also addressed small wastewater systems. These funds were not included in the Executive Budget. $200,000 for Drinking Water and $180,000 for Wastewater were requested. No additional Full‐ Time Equivalents would be required. Drinking water and wastewater operator certification and training is critical for the protection of public health and the maintenance of safe, optimal and reliable operations of water and wastewater facilities. It is crucial that funding is available to help operators become and remain certified without placing a financial hardship on the small system. House Bill 1004 (NDDOH Budget) is currently assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The first hearing was March 3. On short notice, I was lucky enough to provide testimony in support of the Operator Reimbursement Program to the full committee. We were able to get our foot in the door, but we now need your help to open it fully. What can you do to help? The Senate Appropriations Committee will have to add the Operator Reimbursement Program dollars back into the budget. Our Legislators need to hear from our small water & wastewater systems in support of this program. If you have a Senator on Appropriations (listed on back) please contact them and let them know this is a worthwhile program and tell them how it has benefited you/your system. All other Legislators should be urged to contact Senate Appropriations Members in support of adding the Operator Reimbursement Program back into the budget. This needs to be done ASAP! This program could potentially save small systems $380,000 over the next two years!!!! I am available anytime for questions or if you need additional information (talking points) or if you need me to send your Legislator the information. If we remain silent, the funding will surely be lost. If we stand up together for this program, we have a chance. Thank you for your time.

Eric Volk 701‐391‐5080 [email protected]

How to Contact Your Legislators During a legislative session, a legislator can be reached at the State Capitol through e‐mail or by leaving a message by calling 888‐635‐3447. This is a toll free call. Contact information for legislators is available at http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/62‐2011/dist‐legis.html

If you decide to contact a Legislator please follow these guidelines: • Your purpose should be addressed in the subject line, the first paragraph or at the start of the phone call. Identify specifically what legislation your contact pertains to (e.g. HB 1004). • Be specific and include key information, using examples to support your position. • Address only one issue in each contact and keep your contact short and on topic.

Senate Appropriations Committee ‐Chairman, Grand Forks Bill Bowman‐Co Vice Chairman, Bowman Tony Grindberg‐ Co Vice Chairman, Fargo Randel Christmann, Hazen Robert Erbele, Lehr Tom Fischer, Fargo Ralph L. Kilzer, Bismarck Karen K. Krebsbach, Minot David O’Connell, Lansford Larry Robinson, Valley City Terry M. Wanzek, Jamestown , Dickinson John Warner, Ryder