News
EPA Signed Final Rule NPDES Small MS4 Urbanized Area Clarification
On June 7, 2023 EPA signed the final rule clarifying Phase II stormwater regulations regarding Census Bureau eliminating the definition of “urbanized area.” EPA anticipates the rule will be published in the Federal Register in the very near future. A pre-publication version is available on the EPA’s website. Changes to EPA’s regulations are limited to clarifying that the designation threshold criteria of population criteria of 50,000 people for small MS4s will remain the same. Specifically, the final rule replaces the term “urbanized area” in the Phase II regulations with the phrase “urban areas with a population of at least 50,000.” This has been the Census Bureau’s longstanding definition of the term urbanized areas since 1999. Copy of the prepublication rule can be found here. Final Phase II Rule Clarification Related to Census Bureau Urban Area Designation Criteria
EPA Offsite Stormwater Management Communication
“The multiple benefits of green infrastructure are most significant when nature-based solutions are installed throughout a community. Off-site stormwater management can provide options for operators of development and redevelopment projects to meet post-construction stormwater performance standards outside the right-of-way or limit of the area of development in some circumstances. This flexibility can facilitate achieving additional environmental and planning goals in the community, such as implementation of green infrastructure in areas not undergoing development. EPA recently developed several off-site stormwater management case studies to provide examples of a range of strategies used by local and state governments. EPA’s next Green Infrastructure Webcast (July 26, 2023 at 2pm ET) will feature speakers from Washington, DC, Grand Rapids, MI, and St. Paul, MN who will share their experiences developing and implementing off-site stormwater management programs. Attendees will learn about different types of off-site stormwater management arrangements and how such flexibilities can promote green infrastructure.”
For more information, please contact Heather Goss at goss.heather@epa.gov.
Association Updates
2023 Annual Meeting – Hotel Reservations Open!
Dates: August 9-11, 2023
Location: Boise, ID
Reserve Your Lodging to the Grove Hotel HERE. The hotel room block closes July 14, 2023.
Meeting registration and agenda will be available soon.
Members- Update your State’s Roster!
Let us know if you have any changes to your state member rosters or want to add folks to committee or workgroup lists. A list of active committees and workgroups can be found here. Please contact Lexy Bailey for help updating your rosters.
Meetings and Webinars
States-Only WOTUS Workgroup Call
Please join us on June 20th from 2:30 to 3:30 PM ET for an overview of the recent Supreme Court opinion in Sackett. Donna Downing from the National Association of Wetlands Managers will join us to provide an overview of the recent decision. We will then use the remainder of the time to collect state implementation questions that have arisen since the opinion was released. ACWA and NAWM will then work with EPA/Corps to schedule a webinar with states to address these questions. If you are interested in registering for the call email Julia Anastasio for registration information.
ACWA Legal Affairs Committee Quarterly Call
Our next committee call will be held on June 21 from 2-3 PM ET. We will be discussing 2 cases:
South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, et al., v. EPA, et al. (C.A. 2:22-cv-02727-RMG)
Dakota Finance, LLC, et al. v. Naturaland Trust et al
If you are interested in participating in the call, please contact Julia Anastasio for registration information.
Upcoming Monitoring Standards and Assessment Committee Calls
ACWA MSA has three upcoming meetings scheduled for June 9th, 13th, and 15th. Please contact jadler@acwa-us.org for registration information.
National State Revolving Fund (SRF) Workshop
Dates: July 11-13, 2023
Location: Sheraton, Raleigh, NC
NEIWPCC, in collaboration with the U.S. EPA and partner organizations, is hosting a National State Revolving Fund (SRF) Workshop on July 11-13, 2023 at the Sheraton in Raleigh, North Carolina. The workshop will focus on a breadth of relevant programmatic, financial, and technical aspects of the CWSRF and DWSRF. Topics will range from disadvantaged community outreach and emerging contaminants to climate resilience and nonpoint source management.
Registration and room block will close June 19.
To view the draft agenda, register, and book a room, please visit https://neiwpcc.org/our-programs/srf_workshop/
Any other questions? Please contact James Plummer.
Intro to ECHO: EJScreen Webinar
Date and Time: June 13, 2023 1:30-2:30pm EDT
Register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Z8EY-iDnTSK9ibfrF4VTkA
This webinar focuses on how to use the ECHO facility searches to learn about environmental and demographic data from EPA’s EJScreen. We will demonstrate examples of using ECHO searches and reports to view EJScreen data and how to interpret the information, including introducing the supplemental indexes. The webinar will cover the following topics:
- How to search for environmental and demographic data in your community.
- How to view and interpret EJ index and supplemental index values at the location of a facility.
- How to visualize EJScreen data on an interactive map.
Closed captioning will be provided.
EPA Training: In-Person Basic NPDES Permit Writers Course
Date: August 7 – 11, 2023
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Registration: US EPA: NPDES Permit Writers Course – Chicago, IL August 2023 Tickets, Mon, Aug 7, 2023 at 11:30 AM | Eventbrite
The objective of this course is to provide the basic regulatory framework and technical considerations that support the development of wastewater discharge permits required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The course was designed for permit writers with six months to one year of experience in the NPDES program, but experienced permit writers wanting a refresher course and other water program staff wanting to learn more about the NPDES program also are welcome. As a foundational course, the training does not address in detail specialized topics such as industrial and municipal stormwater, concentrated animal feeding operations and pesticide discharges.
Course Registration and Schedule
There is no cost for the course.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until you receive confirmation that your registration has been accepted.
Following registration confirmation, a series of emails with further information on lodging and course details will be provided. Participants will be expected to complete some pre-course assignments the week of July 31st prior to the course start.
On-site check-in for confirmed registrants begins Monday, August 7th , at 11:30 a.m., with the course beginning at 12:00 p.m. Participants should plan to have lunch prior to arriving for onsite registration The course concludes on Friday, August 11th, at approximately 12:30 p.m.
To receive a course certificate, participants should plan to attend all 5 days of the course.
If you have questions regarding the course, please contact Sean Ramach at npdestraining@epa.gov or call him directly at (202) 564-2865.
Job Opportunities
Environmental Program Manager I or II
Location: Washington, D.C
Closing Date: July 5, 2023
The Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA) seeks to fill an Environmental Program Manager position. There are two classifications for this position and determination of whether the new hire is an EPM I or II will be made based upon experience and educational expertise. This position reports to and supports the Executive Director in the development and implementation of the Association’s mission and policies. The ideal candidate has working knowledge of Clean Water Act programs such as NPDES permitting, Water Quality Standards and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development; is versed in water quality topics like nutrient pollution; emerging contaminants and climate change; and has experience with project management.
To apply: Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and a writing/materials sample to:
Email:
Attn: Human Resources
aivey@acwa-us.org
Post mail:
1634 “EYE” STREET NW, SUITE 750
WASHINGTON, DC 20006
For more information, click here.
Water Resources Manager 1
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Closing Date: June 13, 2023
Job ID # 133702
Position # 38200
NMED’s Surface Water Quality Bureau is advertising for a Water Quality Standards Coordinator. The Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) preserves, protects, and improves New Mexico’s surface water quality for present and future generations. To support the SWQB Mission, this position will serve as the Water Quality Standards (WQS) Coordinator and oversee surface water quality standards development, maintenance, and revision efforts to meet state and federal requirements. Comprehensive and appropriate WQS are a cornerstone of all the Bureau’s Programs. In addition, the position directly supervises and mentors three (3) staff scientists on the Standards, Planning and Reporting Team in SWQB.
If you are interested in applying, please visit NM’s Careers site to review the job posting and complete your application!
Environmental Engineer – Permit Writer
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: June 25, 2023
As a NEIWPCC Environmental Engineer, you will become an essential member of the Drinking Water Source
Protection Program (DWSP2). You will work with permittees, their representatives, engineers and various
members of the public on municipal and industrial wastewater discharge SPDES permits within Source Water
Protection areas to ensure SPDES permits are up-to-date and include effluent limitations necessary to protect
public water supplies. You will assist with SPDES permit development and permit renewals and will conduct
water quality and effluent evaluations at wastewater treatment facilities. You will review engineering reports,
plans, and specifications for industrial and municipal wastewater treatment systems and facilities and
recommend these plans for approval. You will also assist in development of guidance around emerging
contaminants data collection and reporting, and assessment of data for incorporation into permitting strategies.
Submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #23-NYS-SW-DEC-003 in the email subject line. For more information, visit here.
Administrative/Operations Manager II
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Closing Date: June 13, 2023
Position #12138
NMED’s Surface Water Quality Bureau is seeking a Program Manager for the Watershed Protection Section.
The Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) preserves, protects, and improves New Mexico’s surface water quality for present and future generations. To support the SWQB Mission, this position coordinates New Mexico’s Nonpoint Source Management Program, which works to improve water quality where land use and unregulated activity are harming water quality and works to protect water quality where water quality standards are met. This is done through maintenance of a plan that is required by Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, applying for grant funds to implement the plan, managing budgets for federal grants and non-federal matching funds, carrying out procurement and sub-grant award processes to support watershed planning and implementation, supervising staff responsible for project management and for other tasks under the Nonpoint Source Management Program, conducting interagency coordination to develop projects and encourage water quality protection and improvement, and reporting.
If you are interested in applying, please visit NM’s Careers site to review the job posting (NMED 12138) and complete your application!
Large-scale Project TMDL Lead
Location: Lacey, WA
Closing Date: June 14, 2023
Ecology’s Water Quality Program is looking to fill the project manager lead position that will work on clean-up plans for two of our State’s iconic watersheds: the Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Project and the Columbia and Snake Rivers Temperature Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan. These projects need a creative leader that can find solutions to water quality challenges, connect with local communities and communicate the complex relationship between water quality and land use. In addition the Project Manager lead will be assisting other arms of the Water Quality Program (NPDES permit staff and Hydropower 401 certification staff to have the facilities they regulate meet the pollution reductions needed to achieve water quality standards. This will involve working with our modeling and permitting staff to come up with allocations that work.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Director, Government Affairs
Location: Washington, D.C
Closing Date: June 30, 2023
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) seeks to fill a vital role on our Government Affairs team – Director, Government Affairs. This position is prominent in formulating and implementing the NACWA’s legislative and regulatory advocacy agenda.
More information on the position and how to apply can be found here.
Water Quality Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
Location: Portland, OR
Closing Date: June 29, 2023
You will work for both the stormwater and wastewater permit programs in DEQ’s Northwest Region. You will analyze and evaluate permit application materials and associated technical information; approve individual and general permit applications and associated plans based on the technical feasibility to minimize pollutant delivery to waterways; determine the compliance status of facilities by conducting inspections; analyze water quality data; perform technical reviews of plans and report; review and analyze plans and Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs); provide technical assistance on effective water pollution control measures; investigate complaints; consult with regulated entities on applicable laws, rules, and program requirements for achieving compliance; and when violations occur, prepare appropriate enforcement documents and do the necessary communication with the permit holder/responsible entity, internal DEQ audiences, and the public. In addition, you will provide technical expertise to other DEQ staff, the regulated community, and the public to solve difficult problems associated with wastewater and stormwater discharges; interpret rules, regulations, laws, and procedures; and represent DEQ at public hearings and meetings.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Water Quality Project Manager, 401 Hydropower (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
Location: Bend, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Medford, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon
Closing Date: June 29, 2023
You will serve as a senior project manager for 401 water quality certification for hydroelectric, hydropower, small hydropower, and other related projects as required under the Clean Water Act for projects requiring licensing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a state water right, or 404 permit by the USACE. You will also lead technical staff in reviewing and certifying or rejecting projects and ensure that they are consistent with basin management plans and TMDLs being developed. In addition, you will act as a subject matter expert and ensure coordination with other state and federal agencies that have overlapping or complementary jurisdiction, and represent DEQ in determining which of the conditions proposed by other state agencies should be included under Clean Water Act section 401 authority, making determinations regarding fish and wildlife protection, recreation, geological hazard and erosion potential, and instream flow requirements.
For more information and to apply, click here.
