| Mission | Commissioners | Staff | History | Serving Our States | Annual Report | Contact Us | Directions | Feedback |
The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission's roots stretch back to the post-World War II era, when an industrial and population boom was in full swing and pollutants often flowed unchecked into lakes, rivers, and bays. Congress recognized the need for states to cooperate in the fight against this growing threat, and in 1947, passed legislation allowing for the formation of interstate water pollution control commissions. Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts responded immediately by forming NEIWPCC. Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and New York State joined the Commission shortly thereafter. The member states endowed NEIWPCC with responsibilities, power, jurisdiction, and financial support.
NEIWPCC originally focused on creating water quality standards and classifications for interstate waters in the New England-New York region. This led naturally to an involvement with issues surrounding wastewater treatment. That focus on wastewater continues to this day, but NEIWPCC's role has expanded considerably. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, federal and state legislative changes, coupled with the growing complexity of water quality issues, spurred the Commission to take on a broader role in serving our member states' interests. In 1969, NEIWPCC created the New England Regional Wastewater Institute (NERWI), a training school for wastewater treatment plant operators, located on the campus of the Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in South Portland, Maine. After the passage of the federal Clean Water Act in 1972, NEIWPCC again expanded activities to include public outreach and an even greater emphasis on environmental training and assistance.
In recent decades, we have further broadened our role by adding more responsibilities to our agenda in response to the priorities of our member states. The Commission's programs have grown to include areas such as regulatory review of watershed planning, wetlands, nonpoint source pollution, drinking water, source water protection, wastewater treatment plant security, and underground storage tanks. The Commission is also involved in the policy arena, frequently sending comment letters and position statements to EPA that represent our member states' views onproposed regulatory and policy changes. In 1998, NERWI discontinued operations, but NEIWPCC continues the commitment to field training through the diverse courses offered by our Environmental Training Center in Lowell, Mass. NEIWPCC also manages Maine's Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee (JETCC).
NEIWPCC continues to evolve as we respond to ever changing water issues. Over the years, we have tapped the region's considerable expertise, new partnerships, and explored fresh sources of funding. NEIWPCC remains flexible and adaptive so that we can address emerging issues in an efficient, effective manner and remain at the forefront of water management and protection.
