News
EPA Seeks Nominations for Environmental Financial Advisory Board
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking nominations of candidates for the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB). Nominations are due no later than January 6, 2020.
The EFAB is a chartered federal advisory committee that provides ideas and advice to the EPA administrator and regional and program offices on innovative ways to lower the costs of, and increase investments in, environmental and public health protection. Recent work by the board includes examining financial solutions for stormwater infrastructure improvements, strategies to encourage domestic recycling programs and funding solutions for small community or remote wastewater systems improvements. The agency is seeking nominations across all workforce sectors (local, state and tribal government; business and industry; and nonprofit organizations) and geographic regions. Nominees should demonstrate experience in environmental finance and/or reducing the cost of financing environmental protection in various environmental media (water, land and air). The type of experience and expertise sought for the board includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: brownfields, commercial banking, energy efficiency, environmental and financial resiliency, infrastructure financing, insurance markets, local utility management and finance, public-public and public-private partnerships, regulators, resource conservation, sustainable community partnerships, and drinking water and wastewater utility financial management.
The board meets in-person two times each calendar year (two days per meeting) at different locations within the continental United States. In addition to the bi-annual meetings, teleconference meetings may be held during the year. Board members typically contribute approximately five to eight hours per month to the activities of the board. Members serve on EFAB without compensation; however, EFAB members may receive travel and per diem allowances where appropriate and in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.
Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to the EFAB. Individuals may self-nominate. Further details of information to be included in a nomination are provided in a November 19, 2019 Federal Register Notice (18 FR 63874). Nominations should be submitted via email to sanzone.stephanie@epa.gov.
For more information on information to be included in a nomination, visit: https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/efab#candidate
To learn more about the EFAB, visit: https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/efab
EPA Proposes Changes to Environmental Appeals Board Process
EPA is proposing to streamline and modernize the review of permits by the agency’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) while providing more flexibility to regulated parties, states and tribes, and the public. Under this proposal, interested parties would be empowered to choose the option for resolving a permit dispute that is best suited to their needs. The proposal was published in the Federal Register this week and the agency will accept comments on the proposal until January 2, 2019.
PFAS Legislation in Flux Despite Deadlines, EPA Actions
Congress has yet to agree on including PFAS-related language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is the most likely vehicle for PFAS legislation in the near-term. Key provisions had included listing only PFOA and PFOS under Superfund; a PFOA and PFOS MCL and Pretreatment Standards; USGS-led ambient water monitoring and development of sampling methods and standards; a firefighting foam phase-out; and mandated cleanup at DOD (and National Guard) sites. Both chambers aim to have the NDAA language final on December 9.
Meanwhile, EPA began accepting comment on how it might list certain PFAS in the Toxics Release Inventory, which would require annual reporting by manufacturers and importers of those PFAS. EPA is considering which PFAS meet criteria for listing; how they might be organized in TRI; and generally, how to provide stakeholders with beneficial PFAS data. Comments are due on February 3. Find the public docket here.
Additionally, EPA sent proposed regulatory determinations to Office of Management and Budget (OMB). After OMB review, EPA would announce whether it will or will not regulate PFOA and PFOS, as well as other compounds on Contaminant Candidate List 4, under SDWA.
EPA Webinar: Optimizing Nutrient Reduction in Small Wastewater Treatment Plants
- Date: December 11, 2019
- Time: 1:00pm-2:30 Eastern
- Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/950479825943951115
- Cost: Free
Audience: Wastewater treatment plant operators, Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) technical assistance providers, permit writers and compliance staff from states, tribes and US EPA. While all plant operators should find this useful, it is geared toward operators of smaller systems with flow of less than 1 million gallons per day.
Presenter: Jon van Dommelen, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Compliance Assistance Unit. US EPA NDPES Expert Q&A
Support: Louis Salguero from US EPA Region 4’s Municipal Compliance Assistance Section.
Description: US EPA is presenting a series of technical assistance webinars to highlight best practices for troubleshooting noncompliance at small wastewater treatement plants. This training, which is for owners and operators of small wastewater treatment plants, is presented by Jon van Dommelen of the Ohio EPA Compliance Assistance Unit. The webinar will cover troubleshooting and correcting denitrification and phosphorus removal issues in small, mechanical activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. Attendees will learn how to fine-tune their systems using relatively simple process control tools and methods and return their system to compliance. Attendees will be able to ask questions via a chat box.
Contacts: Seth Heminway – heminway.seth@epa.gov, Peter Bahor – bahor.peter@epa.gov: Laura Paradise – paradise.laura@epa.gov
EPA Webinar: Sludge Handling and Disposal Techniques Webinar
- Date: Friday, December 13, 2019
- Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm Eastern Time
- Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4698719363695554827
- Cost: Free
Description: This is an overview of sludge handling and disposal techniques for operators, technical assistance providers, and regulatory personnel to familiarize them with the various technologies and processes employed in the handling and disposal of wastewater treatment sludge. Various techniques and methods of sludge handling will be discussed and evaluated to help control sludge handling costs and process efficiency.
Learning Objectives: Participants should be able to:
- Identify various sludge handling processes throughout the sludge formation process
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different sludge handling processes
- Discuss pros and cons of sludge disposal options
- Identify methods to control sludge handling costs and process efficiency
Moderators:
- Jeff Oxenford, RCAP National
- Kevin Kundert, RCAP National
RCAP Presenters:
- Mike Novac, Great Lakes RCAP (INCAP – WSOS Community Action)
- Rebekah Novak, NE RCAP (RCAP Solutions, Inc.)
- Carlos Velázquez-Figueroa, NE RCAP (RCAP Solutions, Inc.)
Association Updates
ACWA Holds Legal Affairs Committee Quarterly Call
This week, ACWA’s Legal Affairs Committee held its final quarterly call of 2019. On the call, Attorney Eric Buescher of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy discussed Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s Associations v. Glaser, a case on drainage districts in California. Also, David Dickman, General Counsel for the District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment, discussed Anacostia Riverkeeper v. Wheeler, a case on the Anacostia River TMDL. For more information, contact Mark Patrick McGuire.
ACWA Sends Letter to Senate EPW Committee on 401 Certification
Two weeks ago, ACWA sent a letter to Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Carper of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on S. 1087, The Water Quality Certification Improvement Act of 2019.
In the letter, ACWA requests that Congress hold off on any legislative changes that may diminish, impair, or subordinate states’ authority under the CWA or the ability of states and their designated entities to manage or protect water resources, that the Senate should refrain from action on S. 1087 until EPA completes its ongoing rulemaking on CWA Section 401, and that ACWA meet with EPW staff to discuss the legislation and the importance of preserving states’ rights under the CWA.
To view the letter, go here.
Meetings
2020 National SNC NCI Symposium – January 2020
The 2020 National SNC NCI Symposium will take place January 22-24, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. The goal of this meeting will be to help support states and EPA regions with their efforts to identify and implement activities and actions associated with reducing noncompliance, with particular emphasis on significant non-compliance (SNC). As most of you know, EPA is undertaking a new National Compliance Initiative with the goal of reducing the rate of SNC with an additional focus on identifying and addressing the worst SNC violators. Potential session topics at this meeting may include improving data quality, reducing DMR nonsubmittal, improved understanding of incomplete DMR data transfer, getting permit limits into ICIS, focusing in on small POTW challenges and opportunities for improvement, an overview of current resources available, identification of future training tools and needs, with a large portion of the presentations dedicated to highlighting state and regional SNC success stories. The agenda is currently under development and a draft should be available next week. Further details about this meeting can be found on ACWA’s website. https://www.acwa-us.org/event/2020-national-snc-nci-symposium-dallas-texas/
2020 National Stormwater Roundtable – February 2020
The 2020 National Stormwater Roundtable will be held in San Antonio, Texas on February 4 – 6, 2020, supports implementation of federal and state municipal, industrial, and construction stormwater programs nationwide by sharing best management practices, showcasing innovative state programs and initiatives, highlighting new technologies, facilitating discussion on national program enhancements and improvements, identifying state resource needs including tools, training and guidance, and proposing solutions to challenges and barriers faced by the regulators and other stakeholders. The Stormwater Roundtable is a national meeting specifically organized by state and federal regulators for EPA and state program staff representatives. Attendees include state managers, permit writers, inspectors, compliance staff involved in regulating stormwater, EPA Headquarter and Regional staff involved in stormwater regulation, and partnering state and federal agency staff that provide technical and/or regulatory assistance to the stormwater program. Future updates for this meeting can be found on ACWA’s webpage – https://www.acwa-us.org/event/2020-national-stormwater-roundtable/
Mid-Year Meeting 2020 – March 17 – 18, 2020
Reserve your lodging for Mid-Year Meeting using the group code MWC; Reserve online here.
2020 National Pretreatment Meeting – SAVE THE DATE!
The 2020 National Pretreatment Meeting will take place May 11-13 in Nashville, Tennessee. Though the agenda is currently in development, tentatively, Monday, May 11 will be a series of training sessions from 1-5; Tuesday, May 12 will be an all-day states and EPA-only meeting; and Wednesday, May 13 will be an all-day meeting partnered with NACWA at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University. ACWA is currently recruiting folks to joined a planning committee to help craft the meeting agenda. Contact Mark Patrick McGuire if you are interested.
Job Opportunities
DC Department of Energy and Environment
The DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is seeking a Branch Chief to lead the Building Permit Plan Review Branch. The incumbent oversees development, implementation, and revision of policies, regulations, guidance documents, and programs to protect and restore District waterbodies. Specifically, the incumbent manages the implementation of DOEE’s erosion and sediment control (ESC), stormwater management (SWM), and green area ratio (GAR) regulations. This includes supervision of technical plan and permit reviews for these regulations and related regulations, as well as development of guidance for the regulated community on complying with these regulations. The incumbent also oversees the revision of existing regulations and guidance and the development of new regulations and guidance to improve the protection and restoration of the District’s environment, as well as to enhance Branch business operations and customer service. The incumbent, who must be a Professional Engineer (PE), oversees technical training and professional development for engineers working toward their PE and other staff in the Branch. The incumbent also oversees external outreach and training to engineers, architects, landscape architects, and other green infrastructure professionals in the private sector and the District and federal governments. The incumbent is responsible for developing and improving business processes to implement Branch programs and to interface with other DOEE programs that rely on information from Branch review of ESC, SWM, and GAR plans.
DOEE seeks a candidate with expertise in management and administration who has strong writing and communication skills. It is important that the incumbent have the demonstrated ability to work with internal and external stakeholders, including in the environmental and development communities and with federal regulators. This includes the ability to effectively listen to, understand, and reconcile conflicting points of view and incorporate solutions into programs and policies as appropriate.
For more information and how to apply, please visit the District’s career website at https://careers.dc.gov and in the search area please enter 9154. The announcement for this position has a closing date of December 24, 2019.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) Watershed Planning Program (WPP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air and water, the safe management of toxics, the recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the restoration and preservation of wetlands, surface waters and coastal resources.
The WPP seeks applicants for a Field & Laboratory Operations Coordinator (Environmental Analyst III). Under the supervision of the Water Quality Assessment and Data Management Section Chief or his/her designee, the Field & Laboratory Operations Coordinator will oversee all in-house field preparation and lab activities of the WPP. MassDEP’s Watershed Planning Program (WPP) is responsible for conducting surface water quality monitoring to support the implementation of key programs under the Clean Water Act. While the majority of samples collected by WPP are analyzed by the MassDEP Wall Experiment Station Laboratory in Lawrence, MA, WPP conducts some analyses in-house (e.g., color, turbidity, chlorophyll a) and makes extensive use of field instruments (multiprobe sondes and data loggers).
For more information and how to apply, go here.
Washington State Department of Ecology
Washington Department of Ecology (WDE) has a current opening for a Wastewater Operator Certification Assistant (Environmental Specialist 2). This position supports the management of the wastewater treatment operator certification program in tandem with, and under the supervision of, our Wastewater Operator Certification Lead. WDE is looking for applicants who have an interest in helping the careers of others by responding to requests quickly, professionally, and accurately so that wastewater treatment plant operators understand our certification requirements. The successful candidate will also be able to work closely with our Wastewater Operator Certification Lead to act as a two-person team to assist wastewater operators. For more information and how to apply, go here.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s jobs page.
