News
EPA Highlights New National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure
This week the Administration issued a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) intended help “ensure U.S. critical infrastructure can provide the nation a strong and innovative economy, protect American families, and enhance our collective resilience to disasters before they happen – strengthening the nation for generations to come.” This NSM specifically clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the lead federal agencies identified to improve the resilience of our critical infrastructure sectors against all hazards. EPA is the official sector risk management agency with respect to the water sector.
- National Security Memorandum
- 2023 National Intelligence Strategy
- EPA Cybersecurity for the Water Sector
CISA Issues Fact Sheet on Defending OT Operations Against Ongoing Pro-Russia Hacktivist Activity
Pro-Russia hacktivists seek to compromise industrial control systems (ICS) and small-scale operational technology (OT) systems in various North American and European critical infrastructure sectors, including Water and Wastewater Systems, Dams, Energy, and Food and Agriculture Sectors.
With U.S. and international partners, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency published a joint fact sheet, “Defending OT Operations Against Ongoing Pro-Russia Hacktivist Activity,” which provides information associated with cyber operations by pro-Russia hacktivists and includes recommended mitigations. These actors seek to compromise ICS by exploiting virtual network computing remote access software and default passwords used by modular ICS hardware, such as connected human machine interfaces.
Since 2022 and as recently as April 2024, pro-Russia hacktivists have continued malicious, but unsophisticated techniques, as open-source reporting has indicated activity ranging from distributed denial of service, data leaks, and data wiping. While known to exaggerate their capabilities and impacts, these actors were observed targeting vulnerable North American and European ICS and causing limited physical disruptions. All OT operators in critical infrastructure sectors are encouraged to review the fact sheet and apply the recommended mitigations to reduce risk of compromise. Recommended actions include limit exposure of OT systems to the internet; immediately change all default passwords of OT devices; use strong, unique passwords; and implement multifactor authentication for all access to the OT network.
Water Quality Standards Regulatory Revisions To Protect Tribal Reserved Rights
This week, the final rule on Water Quality Standards Regulatory Revisions To Protect Tribal Reserved Rights has been included in the Federal Register, with an implementation date of June 3rd.
We will work with EPA to set up a briefing for our members.
You may find more information on the rule, including a list of supplementary documents here.
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing revisions to the Clean Water Act (CWA) water quality standards (WQS) regulation to add requirements for states establishing WQS in waters where Tribes hold and assert rights to CWA-protected aquatic and aquatic-dependent resources reserved through treaties, statutes, or Executive orders.”
EPA and USACW Issue WOTUS Coordination Process Update Memo
On April 25, 2024, EPA posted a memorandum, “Coordination Process Update: Joint Coordination Memoranda to the Field Between the U.S. Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).” The coordination memo provides updates on EPA’s coordination process with the Corp regarding CWA Jurisdictional Determinations (JDs) in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Sackett v. EPA (and agencies’ subsequent final “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’ rule), as well as updates on previous EPA/Corp coordination memos. The memo also outlines joint EPA and Corps procedures when JDs are elevated to headquarters under EPA’s recently finalized WOTUS rule (as well as under the pre-2015 WOTUS regime). The memo specifies that it will remain in effect until June 27, 2024. As part of the updated coordination memo, EPA posted six field memos addressing specific JDs that were elevated to headquarters for review. For more information about the coordination memo, please click here.
Association Updates
2024 Cross-Program Workshop – Registration Now Available!
Registration: Please reach out directly to Ward Scott for the meeting registration link. Workshop registration will be limited to state and federal officials.
Dates/Venue: June 6-7, 2024 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV
Objective: ACWA’s CWA Cross-Program Workshops are intended to bring together state and federal Clean Water Act (CWA) program administrators to discuss and share ways in which cross-program coordination and collaboration can be strengthened to more effectively and efficiently restore and protect the nation’s waters. The 2024 Workshop will focus on opportunities and challenges for state administrators of CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and 402 in coordinating the planning and implementation of efforts to restore and protect the nation’s waters.
State and federal clean water leaders will identify cross-program challenges and barriers to CWA implementation; work toward solutions to cross cutting water quality topics; identify ways to improve technical capabilities; highlight opportunities for cross-program planning, implementation, and co-operation; and clarify linkages, roles, and responsibilities among CWA programs. Workshop discussions will center around states’ cross-program coordination to address issues including temperature pollution, nutrient reduction, environmental justice, and the prioritization and implementation of protection and restoration efforts.
Venue: We are excited that this year’s Workshop will be held at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV, in conjunction with the Environmental Law Institute’s 2024 National Training Workshop on Water Quality Assessment and Plans. The Cross-Program Workshop will begin on the morning of June 6 and run through the morning of Friday, June 7. Workshop attendees are invited and encouraged to arrive on Wednesday, June 5 to participate in ELI’s Workshop sessions and events on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Participants: The Workshop target audience will be state regulators from around the country with practical experience and responsibilities in supporting and managing CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and/or 402 programs, as well as EPA representatives for each of the programs. Attendees should come prepared to discuss ways in which cross-program coordination has been an important aspect of successful program and/or restoration plan implementation, as well as cross-program challenges and needs.
Travel Support: ACWA plans to provide limited state travel support in the form of a post-Workshop reimbursement. Please contact Ward Scott directly if you know you will require travel support to attend the Workshop.
Travel Logistics: Coming from Dulles International Airport, attendees will be provided with free shuttle transportation to the NCTC on Wednesday, June 5, and back to Dulles at the conclusion of the Workshop on Friday, June 7.
Website: Future updates for the 2024 Cross-Program Workshop will be available on ACWA’s website Events page.
Meetings and Webinars
Introduction to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Date: Wednesday, May 15th
Time: 2:00 pm ET
Register: Here
Learn the basics of the U.S. EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), your key to one of the most robust sources of low-cost financing available for wastewater, stormwater, and many other infrastructure projects that help protect water quality. In addition to the CWSRF’s baseline funding, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has invested $12.7 billion into the program, a significant portion of which is provided as loan forgiveness to disadvantaged communities or projects addressing emerging contaminants. In this webinar, you will learn:
How the CWSRF program works.
· What types of projects the CWSRF program can fund.
· How to successfully apply for financing.
· Real world examples and experiences from community recipients.
· What resources are available for information and technical assistance.
· Where to go for more information and breaking news about future opportunities!
The webinar will include an opportunity to submit questions. This presentation will be recorded and EPA will post a link to the recording and slides after the webinar.
EPA ORD Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, and Nutrients Research Webinar: Using Wetlands to Reduce Nutrient Loadings to Rivers and the Coast
Date: May 22, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm ET
Register: Here
On May 22, 2024, at 2:00 pm ET, EPA will host a webinar, EPA ORD Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, and Nutrients Research Webinar – Using Wetlands to Reduce Nutrient Loadings to Rivers and the Coast. Please click here to register for the webinar. Wetland restoration and construction are important to land management options for retaining nitrogen and phosphorus, thereby improving water quality locally, such as in streams. However, little is known about the cumulative influence of wetlands outside of floodplains (i.e., non-floodplain wetlands (NFWs)) on surface water quality at large scales. This presentation will discuss research: (1) assessing the potential for NFWs to reduce nitrate within small subbasins of the Upper Mississippi River as well as the river basin’s outlet; (2) exploring what NFW and NFW catchment characteristics influence nitrate reductions at these spatial scales; and (3) quantifying how far downstream NFW-mediated nitrate reductions are realized.
Redefining “Disadvantaged Communities” in a New Water Infrastructure Era
Date: May 30, 2024
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Register: Here
BIL created a number of opportunities for equitable outcomes for disadvantaged communities in the financing of water infrastructure. The law now requires SRF programs to provide 49% of BIL money to disadvantaged communities as principal forgiveness loans or grants. This allows additional communities that have struggled to access water infrastructure funding to receive the support they need. This webinar will share:
- How the SRF programs are given authority to determine what constitutes a “disadvantaged community” and this varies greatly across the country.
- How states have ensured their definitions bring about the most equitable outcome possible.
- The role public participation requirements had in modifying their definitions.
- Challenges states have had in implementing the funding.
- What clean water advocates can do to help states achieve the most equitable process possible for source water protection in their programs.
The webinar is targeted to states, water utilities, source water protection staff, state BIL funding program staff, source water collaboratives, federal agencies, and other water stakeholders.
Sign up here to receive notification about future BIL-related information and other news from the national Source Water Collaborative.
EPA Infrastructure Finance Webinar: Opportunities to Advance Water Reuse
Date: June 26, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Register: Here
On June 26, 2024 at 1:00 pm ET, EPA will host an Infrastructure Finance Webinar: Opportunities to Advance Water Reuse. The webinar will highlight different federal infrastructure financing programs available for water reuse projects – including EPA’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Title XVI Program, and USDA’s Rural Development. Representatives from the federal agencies will briefly discuss their funding programs, application requirements, and examples of previous water reuse projects funded under those programs.
June 2024 In-person NPDES Permit Writers Course Announcement
Dates: June 10-14, 2014
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Cost: Free
Registration: EPA NPDES Permit Writers Course – Baltimore, MD Mon, Jun 10, 2024 at 11:00 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. Microsoft Teams will be utilized to provide electronic course materials and can be accessed through the desktop application or a web browser. Course materials will be provided on the Microsoft Teams classroom site for download by the participants prior to the start date. 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. For more information on these specialized topics, please visit EPA’s NPDES Web site at www.epa.gov/npdes. 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
Utilities Division Manager
Location: Corvallis, OR
Closing Date: May 10th, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Information Officer – Contracts Administration
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: May 12, 2024
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by May 12. Please reference #24-Lowell-005 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Water Reuse Program Developer
Location: Portland, OR
Closing Date: May 12, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit Oregon Job Opportunities.
Surface Water Quality Standards Specialist (NMED #29125)
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Closing Date: May 15, 2024
JOB ID: 143771
For more information and to apply, click here.
Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (IPDES) Compliance Officer – Analyst 3
Location: Boise, ID
Closing Date: May 15, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Analyst – Drinking Water Program Assistant
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: May 19, 2024
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by May 19, 2024. Please reference #24-NYS-SW-DOH-003 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits listing may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Analyst – Technical Assistance Provider
Location: Augusta, ME
Closing Date: May 19, 2024
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by May 19, 2024. Please reference #24-DHHS-DWP-002 in the email subject line. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Scientist 3 (Environmental Scientist 2 Underfill, Environmental Scientist 1 Underfill)
Location: Location: Carson, Minden, Gardnerville, Genoa, NV
Closing Date: May 23, 2024
Please note the applicant will need to evaluate the required experience and submit to the appropriate recruitment. For more information and to apply, click here.
Water Quality Permitting Scientist – Stormwater
Location: Helena, MT
Closing Date: May 24, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Water Quality Permitting Scientist – Coal
Location: Helena, MT
Closing Date: May 24, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Analyst – Assistant Scientist
Location: Grand Isle, VT
Closing Date: May 28, 2024
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by May 28, 2024.
Please reference #24-LCBP-006 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is
filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Part-time Contracted Student Intern, Total Maximum Daily Load Section
Location: Worcester, MA
Closing Date: Open until filled (first consideration will be given to applications received within 14 days of the April 26th posting date).
MassDEP seeks applicants for a Contracted Student Intern within the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Section, Watershed Planning Program (WPP), Bureau of Water Resources. Under supervision of the TMDL Analyst, the Contracted Student Intern will assist TMDL Streamlining & Automation Initiative related to pathogen TMDL development. The part-time position will begin in June and end in October 2024 for a maximum of 22.5 hours per week. The position will be based in Worcester at the Watershed Planning Program’s office, 8 New Bond Street, but will operate within the Commonwealth’s current hybrid work model.
For more information and to apply, see MassCareers Job Opportunities
Municipal Stormwater Permit Implementation Planner (Environmental Planner 3)
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Nonpoint Inspector and Compliance Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)
Location: Yakima County – Union Gap, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Hydrogeologist/Permit Writer (Hydrogeologist 3) (In-Training)
Location: King County – Shoreline, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Duwamish Stormwater Compliance Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training)
Location: King County – Shoreline, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Unit Supervisor Office Assistant (Office Assistant 3)
Location: Yakima County – Union Gap, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
