News
ACWA, ECOS, ASDWA & ASTSWMO Comment on National PFAS Action Plan
ACWA joined with ECOS, ASDWA and ASTSWMO in sending comments to Administrator Wheeler on the recently released agency PFAS Action Plan. The Action Plan describes the EPA’s approach to identifying and understanding PFAS, approaches to addressing current PFAS contamination, preventing future contamination, and effectively communicating with the public about PFAS. The Action Plan describes the broad actions the EPA has underway to address challenges with PFAS in the environment, including next steps on the four PFAS management actions the EPA announced at the May 2018 National Leadership Summit. The joint state media association letter provides feedback on the plan and suggests additional areas of focus for the Plan.
EPA’s NSmart Program Webinars
EPA’s NutrientsSmart (“NSmart”) program kickoff webinars are next week! The webinars are scheduled for April 10, 2019, 1 – 2 pm EDT and April 11, 2019, 3 – 4 pm EDT. You can view the informational flyer here.
To register for the webinars, go here.
For some background, NSmart is a proposed voluntary program to recognize water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) and their watershed partners’ progress towards reducing nutrients in water bodies. The EPA Office of Water and the NSmart Steering Committee are hosting an interest and information webinar to introduce a proposed voluntary recognition program for POTWs, WWRFs, communities, and other stakeholders and potential partners that have reduced or are working towards reducing nutrient loadings to streams, rivers, lakes, and other surface waters. As one of these stakeholders, we would like to provide you with background and answer your questions on the different ways to participate and be recognized as NSmart and gauge your interest in NSmart. We want to know how best to engage with you and make recognition valuable to you, your ratepayers, partners, and local communities.
For more information, go to the new NSmart website here or contact EPA’s Mary Reiley.
Association Updates
Constructed Wetlands Presentation at ASWM Meeting
On Wednesday, April 3, ACWA’s Mark Patrick McGuire presented at the Association of State Wetland Managers’ Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting during a session entitled Agriculture, Nutrients, and Constructed Wetlands. The presentation focused on how constructed wetlands can help mitigate nutrient policy on agricultural lands and how constructed wetlands fit in to water quality trading. To view the presentation slides, go here. If you have questions, contact Mark Patrick McGuire.
ACWA Soliciting Examples of Documents, Best Practices for TMDL Modeling
ACWA, as part of an ongoing project for the ACWA TMDL Modeling Workgroup, is looking to compile examples of best practices, language, examples, etc., for working with contractors on TMDL Modeling projects. We are looking for states willing to volunteer things like contract clauses on staff training/community outreach/dispute resolution (or other issues), QAPP language (or documents in their entirety), guidance, model review procedures, RFP language, etc. However, if you are involved in TMDL modeling and have a particular type of best practice you do not have but would be interested in finding, that information would be helpful as well. If you want to submit anything, discuss the project, or ask additional questions, contact Julian Gonzalez.
Meetings
ACWA Nutrients Permitting Workshop – November 2019
Registration for the November 2019 Nutrients Permitting Workshop located in Alexandria, Virginia at the AlexRenew facility November 5-7, 2019 is now live. To register, go here. The workshop will focus on the relationship between water quality standards and nutrients permitting. Lodging is available at the Embassy Suites Alexandria Hotel. To reserve your lodging, call direct 703-684-7900 or 1-800-EMBASSY and ask for the Association of Clean Water Administrators group of rooms, or reserve online here.
ACWA is able to help support and organize this meeting because of a cooperative agreement with EPA. As part of the agreement, ACWA has funds available to assist states with travel. Our hope is to ensure that each state and interstate that wishes to attend is able. If you plan to request travel support from ACWA, please do your best to provide an estimate of the cost categories and total expenses you will need. Request for travel support should be submitted to Mark Patrick McGuire by Friday, April 26. Once all requests are in, we will have a better idea of the total travel funds needed, and will subsequently notify you of the costs for which we will be able to reimburse.
Job Opportunities
New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) and the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP)
The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) and the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP) are seeking an experienced and creative Environmental Analyst (Watershed/GIS Specialist). This position is located in Providence, RI.
The Watershed/GIS Specialist offers a unique opportunity both to lead the NBEP’s successful Geographic Information System (GIS) program and to develop and manage existing and new technical projects that advance the health and resilience of the Narragansett Bay watershed. Will lead the management of environmental data and the creation, analysis, and mapping of GIS data for the Narragansett Bay watershed. Will provide oversight or input for the development of the CCMP, Status and Trends Report, competitive grant processes, watershed partnership and restoration efforts, and other technical materials. May assist with a wide range of environmental issues, according to program needs and the incumbent’s areas of expertise, which may include facilitation and partnership-building, watershed protection and restoration, climate change and resilience, stormwater management, and environmental data. Apply here.
Washington Department of Ecology
Washington state has a vacancy for the position of Cost Reimbursement and Contracts Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) located in Yakima County, Union Gap, WA.
This position serves as the senior environmental section specialist for the development and implementation of cost-reimbursement projects and grant funding opportunities in the region and identifies initiatives that prioritize synergy between water resources, stream flows, and fish habitat management issues. The position also serves to lead and organize large scale water rights permitting efforts in Central Washington. Serves on the Central Regional Water Management Team to identify and address priorities that are of critical regional and agency interest. This position coordinates consistent permitting efforts between core permitting work, Trust water/acquisitions, and Conservancy Board reviews. Apply here.
In addition, Washington Department of Ecology is seeking to fill the position of Environmental Engineer 5 (Water Quality Program). This position is also located in Yakima County, Union Gap, WA.
This position is responsible for planning, investigating, and proposing solutions to stormwater engineering problems to grant recipients and municipal permittees so that their stormwater projects are effectively implemented. Apply here.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s jobs page.
Coming Soon…
ACWA Watersheds Committee Call
Thursday, April 25
2:30-4:00 PM ET
Contact Julian Gonzalez for more information
