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RCAC technical assistance provider reappointed to NDWAC
June 1, 2005
West Sacramento, Calif. — Rural Community Assistance Corporation today announced that Blanca Surgeon, a technical assistance provider for the organization, has been appointed to a second term serving on the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC).
A Federal Advisory Committee consisting of 15 individuals recruited from throughout the United States and its territories, NDWAC’s members are appointed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator. Appointments are made in each of the following categories:
• State and local agencies concerned with public water supply and public health protection
• Water-related organizations and drinking water interest groups
• The general public
Two of the 15 members must represent small rural public water systems.
“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to continue my service as a member of NDWAC,” Surgeon said. “It is a wonderful extension of my work at RCAC addressing the water issues of rural communities in New Mexico.”
The Council was created in 1974 through a provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act. NDWAC provides advice, information and recommendations to EPA on matters related to activities, functions, policies and regulations required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The role of the NDWAC, at least for the next year, will be to provide EPA with ideas and advice identifying and implementing ways to measure public health benefits provided by safe drinking water systems — important because federal Performance Measures (PMs) are tied to funding.
Surgeon is a graduate of the University of New Mexico, holding a master’s degree in water resources administration. She has worked in the environmental field for more than 10 years and has extensive experience in a broad range of water-related and management issues. Surgeon works out of RCAC’s Santa Fe, New Mexico office.
Headquartered in West Sacramento, California, and serving 13 western states, RCAC is a nonprofit agency providing technical assistance, training and funding to rural communities seeking to develop a wide range of local services including, community facilities, affordable housing and water treatment facilities. Along with its offices in Santa Fe, RCAC also maintains field offices in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
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