News

EPA Draft FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan

The EPA published a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of the Draft FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan for review and comment. The Strategic Plan includes seven strategic goals focused on protecting human health and the environment and four cross-agency strategies that describe the essential ways EPA will work to carry out its mission. The Strategic Plan also establishes long-term performance goals and FY 2022–2023 Agency Priority Goals by which EPA will hold itself accountable to monitor progress in protecting human health and the environment in collaboration with EPA’s partners and stakeholders.  Comments are due November 12, 2021.

EPA Releases Memo on Near-term Actions to Support Environmental Justice in the Nonpoint Source Program

EPA has released the memo – Near-term Actions to Support Environmental Justice in the Nonpoint Source Program. This policy memo states EPA’s intentions to integrate EJ into the NPS program. It has become a priority to integrate environmental justice considerations into EPA programs to ensure equitable and fair access to the benefits from environmental programs for all individuals.  Efforts in the Nonpoint Source (NPS) program will be part of a range of activities and efforts that EPA will implement to advance this priority.

The policy memo acknowledges the ongoing role of the Section 319 program in benefitting communities via watershed projects and other actions, strongly encourages actions in FY22 to assess and advance delivery of NPS benefits to disadvantaged communities, commits EPA to take a number of actions in support of this goal, and – recognizing that this will be a shared learning experience – commits to an ongoing dialogue with the NPS community as this work goes forward.

You can see the memo here.

Integrating High-Resolution Coastal Acidification Monitoring Data Across Seven United States Estuaries

A manuscript detailing a collaborative effort between EPA HQ, Region 1, ORD, and 11 partners across the National Estuary Programs has been published in Frontiers in Marine Sciences. This paper compares continuous coastal acidification data from seven NEPs in an effort to begin to understand the natural variability in carbonate chemistry parameters within, and across a range of environmental settings. The article can be accessed here.

Formal Notice of Maui Guidance Rescission in Federal Register

This week EPA published in the Federal Register formal notice of rescission of guidance titled Applying the Supreme Court’s County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund Decision in the CWA 402 NPDES Permit Program. For more details and a copy of the memorandum mentioned in the notice see ACWA’s news article from the Week of September 13, 2021.

September was National Preparedness Month!

EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Division of Water Security, has developed the following Incident Action Checklists to assist Water Utilities during emergency events:

Incident Action Checklists for Water Utilities

Drinking water and wastewater utilities can use these twelve “rip & run” style checklists to help with emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities.

• Pandemic Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides preparedness, response and recovery actions water utilities can take during a pandemic incident.
• Power Outage Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides preparedness, response and recovery actions water utilities can take in a power outage.
• Harmful Algal Bloom Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take during a harmful algal bloom incident.
• Cybersecurity Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides preparedness, response and recovery actions water utilities can take in a cybersecurity incident.
• Extreme Cold and Winter Storms Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take in extreme cold and winter storms.
• Earthquake Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take in an earthquake.
• Drought Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take in a drought.
• Extreme Heat Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take in an extreme heat emergency.
• Flooding Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take in a flood incident.
• Hurricane Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take in a hurricane.
• Tornado Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take in a tornado.
• Tsunami Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take in a tsunami.
• Volcanic Activity Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take for volcanic activity incidents.
• Wildfire Incident Action Checklist (pdf)
  Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take in a wildfire incident.

FWS Proposes Delisting Two Freshwater Fish, Eight Freshwater Mussels from Endangered Species List Due to Extinction

This week, US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced a proposed delisting of 23 species from the Endangered Species Act’s (ESA) Threatened and/or Endangered Species lists. Based on the best available science, FWS has determined these species are extinct, and thus no longer require listing under the ESA. The purpose of the ESA is to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. For the species proposed for delisting this week, the protections of the ESA came too late, with most either extinct, functionally extinct, or in steep decline at the timing of listing.

Delisting must occur via issuing a rule. Comments on the rule can be submitted until December 29th, 2021. FWS seeks specific information from other governmental agencies, Native American Tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties:

• Any information that indicates whether the best available information supports a determination that one of the species is or is not extinct;
• Factors that may have resulted in the extinction of the species, which may include habitat modification or destruction, overutilization, disease, predation, the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, or other natural or manmade factors.

You can access the rule and supporting materials here. Below are the fish and mussel species included and their known range when listed.

• Flat pigtoe mussel | AL, MS
• Green-blossom pearly mussel | TN, VA
• San Marcos gambusia | TX
• Scioto madtom | OH
• Southern acornshell mussel | AL, GA, TN
• Stirrupshell mussel | AL, MS
• Tubercled-blossom pearly mussel | AL, IL, IN, KY, OH, TN, WV
• Turgid-blossom pearly mussel | AL, AR, MO, TN
• Upland combshell mussel | AL, GA, TN
• Yellow-blossom pearly mussel | AL, TN

EPA Office of Inspector General Issues Report, EPA Needs an Agencywide Strategic Action Plan to Address Harmful Algal Blooms

This week, EPA OIG’s latest report on EPA’s HAB response was made available. The report finds that “the EPA has not fully embraced its national leadership role or defined roles and responsibilities” under CWA, ASDWA, and HABHRCA, and that, “without additional leadership and technical expertise from the EPA, it will be difficult for states to develop the nutrient criteria needed to reduce nutrient pollution and the occurrence and severity of HABs, as well as prevent the formation of dangerous cyanotoxins.” The report notes that, “scientists predict that the prevalence, severity, and frequency of HAB occurrences in recreational waters
and cyanotoxins in drinking water sources will increase as excess nutrients flow into these waters, temperatures rise, and extreme weather events increase with a changing climate.” Since Congress designated EPA as the lead federal agency in addressing and responding to HABs, the OIG argues EPA needs to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. The report also identified associated needs including:

• Establish a national HAB event-monitoring and -tracking system to better define the magnitude of the problem and assess the risks HABs pose to human health and the environment;
• Assess EPA workforce needs to fully address HABs at HQ and Regional offices;
• Coordinate with and assist states on nutrient reduction;
• Issue additional 304(a) recreational water quality criteria; and,
• Develop additional standards and health advisories to provide greater protection from cyanotoxins in drinking water.

You can read the report here.

New EPA Report Available: Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Coral Reefs

EPA is pleased to announce the publication of the technical report on the development of the first biological condition gradient (BCG) model for coral reefs and its first application to the coastal marine waters of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), The Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Coral Reefs (EPA-822-R-2-1007).

The BCG is a conceptual model that describes how biological attributes of aquatic ecosystems change along a gradient of increasing human disturbance. Initially developed by freshwater scientists, the BCG has now been calibrated to the near shore coral reefs of Puerto Rico and USVI and a quantitative model has been produced by EPA and a panel of outside experts. Puerto Rico and USVI biological assessment and water quality standards programs may use the model to interpret biological responses to increasing effects of human stressors in coral reefs and can be used to describe baseline conditions, help identify high quality waters, evaluate potential for improvement in degraded waters, track changes in condition, and support development of biological criteria.

To access the document, click here.

If you have questions, please contact Susan Jackson (jackson.susank@epa.gov).

Continuing Resolution Approved

Lawmakers on Thursday passed a continuing resolution that will fund the government through December 3, 2021. The measure also includes funds to respond to recent hurricane damage along the Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf Coast. More information can be found here.

Association Updates

ACWA Travel Funds Available – SNC NCI Related

Through a cooperative agreement with U.S. EPA and funds provided by EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), ACWA is inviting states to submit applications for travel support that will in some way further the goals of the EPA-State National Compliance Initiative (NCI) to reduce the rate of SNC in the NPDES program (the “SNC NCI”).  ACWA has money for state travel in its budget that must be spent by the end of May 2022. Applications from states will be accepted and considered if they meet the following criteria:

• The travel must in some way support the goals of the SNC NCI.
  • Goal #1: Reduce the national SNC rate by 50% by the end of FY 2022 (to 10.1% from an FY 2018 baseline of 20.3%).
  • Goal #2: Assure that the high priority SNC facilities with the most significant violations are timely and appropriately resolved.
  • Goal #3:  Provide compliance and technical assistance, conduct studies, and provide support to States and Regions for reducing the SNC rate.
  • Goal #4:  Take action through the NPDES SNC NCI to further environmental justice efforts.
• The travel must support activities that are not standard state day-to-day activities.
• The travel must be completed by mid-May 2022.
• State travel expenses cannot be paid in advance of travel. Travelers or the State will be reimbursed for travel expenses after.

Examples of ideas for state travel that would be supported by the available funds are:

• Travel by state personnel to visit another state to learn more about an approach, innovation, solution, etc.  used to reduce or address NPDES noncompliance.
• Travel by a state inspector or state compliance assistance provider to accompany an EPA or another state’s inspector or compliance assistance provider on a site inspection/visit to learn more about how EPA or that state does this work.
• Travel to a national/regional meeting, conference, or training that relates to improving the state’s SNC rate.

Applications may be submitted any time but must be submitted no later than April 30, 2022. For a copy of the application, please contact Sean Rolland (srolland@acwa-us.org). 

ACWA, ASDWA, ECOS Comment on PFAS Manufacturer Reporting Requirements

This week, ACWA jointly submitted comments with ASDWA and ECOS in response to EPA’s Proposed Rule, “Toxic Substances Control Act Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Docket # EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0549-0001).” The rule would require persons that have manufactured (including import) any PFAS analytes in any year since January 1, 2011, to electronically report information regarding PFAS uses, production volumes, disposal, exposures, and hazards.

ACWA, ASDWA and ECOS’ comments offers several recommendations:

• Work with States to Ensure PFAS Reporting Addresses Needs Across Programs
• Establish Consistent Annual PFAS Reporting Requirements
• Provide Easy Access to Reporting Data
• Require Reporting of PFAS in Articles
• Amend the PFAS Structural Definition and Applicability to Include Entire Class of PFAS
• Limit CBI PFAS Data Reporting Exemptions
• Require Analytical Methods Reporting
• Clarify and Require Reporting when the Specific PFAS is Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable

You can read the letter here.

Meetings and Webinars

2021 Virtual Nutrients Permitting Workshop

ACWA will be holding a virtual Nutrients Permitting Workshop: Permitting for Restoration
October 26-28, 2021, 1-5 PM EST.

This workshop is part of a series of meetings focused on nutrients permitting through a grant between EPA, ACWA, and WEF. The workshop series is intended to help support states and EPA to further identify obstacles to nutrient permitting program implementation, highlight opportunities for program improvement, showcase innovations, and assist with analysis of training, guidance, tools, and other support material needs. This workshop will have days dedicated to the restoration of lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Registration and a draft agenda may be found on ACWA’s events page.

You may contact Jasper Hobbs with any questions: jhobbs@acwa-us.org

EPA Issues 2021 Pesticide General Permit (PGP)

Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 2:30pm- 4:00pm EST. Register here.

EPA is issuing the 2021 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide General Permit (PGP) for discharges of pesticides to waters of the United States in areas where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority. The 2021 PGP regulates point source discharges of biological pesticides and chemical pesticides that leave a residue into waters of the United States. The 2016 PGP expires October 31, 2021 and will be replaced by the 2021 PGP. The 2021 PGP contains the same requirements and provisions as the current permit, with no substantive changes. The permit is published on Regulations.gov in Docket No. EPA-HQ-OW-2020-0005. The purpose of this training is to introduce EPA’s NPDES electronic-reporting Tool (NeT) for seeking coverage under the Pesticide General Permit (PGP). This training is for Decision-makers who are required to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) under EPA’s 2021 PGP. **If you need any special accommodations for this webinar, please email Madeline LaPatra (lapatra.madeline@epa.gov) by 9/27.

Putting the Brakes on Water Pollution: A story of industry and government collaboration for copper-free brakes

October 6, 2021, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time | Register Here

In January 2015, EPA, states, and the motor vehicle industry signed an agreement to reduce the use of copper and other materials in motor vehicle brake pads. The agreement calls for reducing copper in brake pads nationwide to no more than 0.5 percent by weight by 2025. In addition to copper, this voluntary initiative reduces mercury, lead, cadmium, asbestiform fibers, and chromium-six salts in motor vehicle brake pads. The initiative will reduce runoff of these pollutants from roads into the nation’s streams, rivers, and lakes. The webinar will explore how this voluntary initiative and these partnerships developed, the roles of the signatories, and the progress made so far. Speakers will highlight lessons learned and considerations for organizations considering future voluntary source control partnerships.

Speakers

• Rachel Urban, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Laurie Holmes, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
• Leigh Merino, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
• Aaron Lowe, AutoCare Association
• Don Welsh, Environmental Council of the States

For more information about the copper-free brake initiative, visit Copper-Free Brakes. If you need reasonable accommodations or closed captioning for this webinar, please email goss.heather@epa.gov by September 22, 2021. This webinar will be recorded and posted at a later date; a notification with the URL will be sent to all registrants once it is available.

Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) for Local and Tribal Governments

October 6, 1-2:30pm. Register here.

What do local and tribal governments need to know about EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)? Join EPA, the Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN), and the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) on Wednesday, October 6 at 1:00 pm EDT to learn more about how local and tribal governments can use the TRI to help protect community health and welfare. Local governments use TRI data in many ways, from supporting emergency planning to informing siting and permitting decisions and aiding fenceline communities who may potentially be exposed to toxic chemical releases from nearby facilities. Additionally, facilities owned and/or operated by local and tribal governments―such as waste management facilities and locally owned utilities―may also be subject to TRI reporting requirements.

TRI Program staff will give an overview of the TRI, explaining which local and tribal government facilities may be subject to reporting requirements, and how officials can use the TRI to respond to community concerns. This webinar is part of a series of webinars to mark the 35th anniversary of TRI and to help inform stakeholders about this valuable resource.

Chemical Transformation Simulator: To Predict PFAS Metabolites and Environmental Transformation Products

October 7, 2021 3-4 PM ET | Register for the Chemical Transformation Simulator training webinar!

The Chemical Transformation Simulator (CTS) is a publicly available web-based application that predicts how organic chemicals will transform in environmental and biological systems. Traditional exposure and risk assessments for human-made organic chemicals have only focused on chemicals in their manufactured form, but it is well known that many organic chemicals can be transformed in the environment. Organic chemicals can also be metabolized into new molecules when they are ingested by humans or ecological species. CTS Reaction Libraries predict the products that form from various environmental transformation processes. This training webinar will provide an overview of CTS, including a demonstration of the CTS workflows for predicting transformation pathways and physicochemical properties of organic chemicals. For more information visit EPA’s CTS website.

IJC Great Lakes Science Advisory Board Public Webinar: Monitoring Infrastructure and Activities of Great Lakes Connecting Waters

Friday, October 8, 2021,  11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time | Register here

The Great Lakes Science Advisory Board-Research Coordination Committee of the International Joint Commission (IJC) invites you to participate in a webinar about the board’s recent report: Monitoring Infrastructure and Activities of Great Lakes Connecting Waters: An Assessment and Recommendations. A panel of project team members will provide information and answer your questions about the report’s findings. Panelists will answer audience questions submitted through the Q&A function of the webinar.

Panelists include:

• Science Advisory Board-Research Coordination Committee US co-chair Chris Winslow, Ohio State University Sea Grant Program
• Science Advisory Board Member and Primary Co-Author Michael Twiss, Clarkson University
• Science Advisory Board Member Rebecca Rooney, University of Waterloo
• Former Science Advisory Board-Science Priority Committee Canadian co-chair Jeff Ridal, St. Lawrence River Institute

National Academies Virtual Workshop | Communities, Climate Change, and Health Equity: A New Vision

October 12, 11-4pm EST and October 14, 12-4pm EST | Register Here

As the climate crisis intensifies extreme weather events, increases global temperatures, and accelerates sea level rise, communities least able to respond are bearing the largest burden.

This two-day virtual workshop will bring together people with lived experience, environmental health experts, resilience practitioners, and climate scientists to outline the disproportionate impact that climate change has on communities experiencing health disparities and environmental injustice. 

The workshop will address three critical questions: Where are we now? How did we get here? Where do we want to go? Speakers and participants will share their visions for the future and suggest specific policies decision-makers can implement today to address the intersecting crises of climate change and health inequity.

Visit the event webpage for more information. A full agenda will be posted soon. This workshop is public and free to attend.

PFAS in Biosolids Under a Land Application Scenario: Biotic Weather, Leaching, and Transport

Thursday, October 14 | 1pm-2pm ET | Register Here

This Water Research Foundation webcast is free and open to the public.

There are many sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to water resource recovery facilities. Wastewater treatment and biosolids stabilization processes do not effectively degrade PFAS, and notable concentrations can be found in biosolids. Therefore, there are questions regarding the fate and transport of PFAS that originate in land-applied biosolids. This webcast will focus on Assessing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Release from Finished Biosolids (project 5042). Dr. Erica McKenzie will first describe the ongoing efforts to understand what factors influence PFAS partitioning between biosolids and surrounding water. Specifically, the research team has been conducting laboratory experiments to understand how PFAS partitioning changes as the biosolids are biologically weathered; additionally, transformation of precursor PFAS are observed during this process. In the second part of the presentation, Dr. Charles Schaefer will present findings from the completed microcosm study that assessed vertical transport of PFAS through a soil column, simulating land application of biosolids.

Presenters:
Erica McKenzie, PhD, College of Engineering, Temple University
Charles Schaefer, PhD, Director, Bellevue Research and Testing Laboratory, CDM Smith

Moderator:
Lola Olabode, MPH, BCES, Research Program Manager, The Water Research Foundation

Upcoming PFAS Analytic Tools Version 3.0 Training

October 26, 2020, from 2:30 to 4:00pm Eastern. Please click here to register.

EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance is proud to announce Version 3.0 release of PFAS Analytic Tools – an application for Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to analyze spatial and temporal data related to Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the United States.

It has been quite some time since we have offered states training on the PFAS Analytic Tools. Therefore this webinar is an opportunity for training new state agency staff on the tool, and for those already familiar, there will be a demonstration of new enhancements, such as:

• Identifying occurrences in relation to areas of potential environmental justice concern
• National Water Information System (NWIS) data flow enhancements
• Transfers and disposal of PFAS from RCRAInfo’s e-manifest data system
• Toxics Release Inventory on releases and transfers
• Expanding the Industries Sectors to include Fire Training Sites and Part 139 Airports
• Spills data called into the National Response Center

***Please register using your EPA, state, or local government email address – this webinar is for governmental employees only, please only share with those in your organization. “This webinar contains non-public law enforcement techniques, procedures or guidelines – confidential, do not distribute outside your organization.”

For those not able to make the training, we plan to record it and post it here.

EPA Webinar: Smart Sewer Systems and Smart Data Infrastructure

Register:  October 14, 2021, 01:00 PM, Eastern Time
Register:  Dec 7, 2021 01:00 PM, Eastern Time

Description: U.S. EPA is hosting a two-part webinar series on smart sewer systems and smart data infrastructure. Smart sewer systems use real-time monitoring and other advanced technologies to improve decision-making regarding capacity, management, and operation and maintenance programs. Smart data infrastructure is the ecosystem of technology tools and solutions focused on the collection, storage, and/or analysis of water-related data. Both webinars will highlight how communities have implemented these approaches to improve their sewer system management and decision-making.

Speakers: Reese Johnson from the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kieran Fahey from City of South Bend, Indiana, will speak on October 14, 2021.

O.J. McFoy from the City of Buffalo, New York, Sewer Authority and Stacia Eckenwiler from City of Columbus, Ohio, will speak on December 7, 2021.

In-Depth Training Series on CREAT

Register Here

To complement the Building Resilience and Adapting to Climate Change Impacts: Introductory Session webinar scheduled for September 21, 2021, EPA is also providing a detailed training on CREAT. This training will help drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities:

• Begin to develop their own climate change risk assessment
• Identify and share information on adaptation strategies to build utility long-term resilience
• Share information on available resources for financing resilience and adaptation

 SESSION 1: Tuesday, October 19, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MST

This webinar provides a training overview, as well as details on the use of CREAT Module 1: Climate Awareness, which covers inputs of basic utility information to increase awareness of climate change impacts and CREAT Module 2: Scenario Development, which covers understanding utility risk and designing scenarios of threats based on climate change projection data.

 SESSION 2: Thursday, October 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MST

This webinar provides details on the use of CREAT Module 3: Consequence and Assets, which covers outlining potential consequences and cataloging critical assets and Module 4: Adaptation Planning, which covers how to inventory current actions that develop resilience and how to design adaptation plans.

 SESSION 3: Tuesday, October 26, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MST

This webinar provides details on the use of CREAT Module 5: Risk Assessment, which covers assessing risk from a changing climate and evaluating adaptation plans. Additionally, the webinar includes a presentation on resources for financing adaptation options.

SESSION 4 (Optional): Tuesday, November 9, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MST

This webinar provides an opportunity for attendees to ask questions related to climate change, risk assessment, financial resources, or any other items, as well as more details on financing adaptation options.

As part of the training, you will complete short homework assignments that reinforce skills for conducting your own climate change risk assessment. To prepare for the training you are encouraged to attend the Building Resilience and Adapting to Climate Change Impacts: Introductory Session Webinar for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities (September 21, 2021). If you cannot attend, we encourage you to view a recording of the Introductory Session Webinar once it is available on EPA’s CRWU website.

Freshwater Explorer: Interactive Map of Water Quality

October 20, 2021 3-4 PM ET | Register for the Freshwater Explorer webinar!

EPA’s Freshwater Explorer is an interactive mapping tool for visualizing water quality. States, tribes and other groups contribute water quality information to a database through the Water Quality Exchange (WQX). To make it easier to visualize these data, EPA scientists developed this interactive web-based mapping tool. Freshwater Explorer provides information about background and observed conductivity, a measure of salt content, for freshwater streams, lakes and wells in all 50 US states, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Salts can harm aquatic life and can be indicative of the presence of other pollutants. Data for nutrients will be added in 2022. Attend the EPA Tools & Resources Webinar to learn more about the EPA Freshwater Explorer!

Job Opportunities

Underground Injection Control Program Lead | Washington Department of Ecology

Location: Lacey, WA

Closing Date: October 12, 2021

In this position, you will serve as the senior groundwater hydrologist for the Watershed Management Section in the Water Quality Program. Your key responsibility will be to lead the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program by implementing Washington’s current UIC rules and revising these rules as needed. You will be part of protecting the State’s groundwater and drinking water resources by reviewing UIC well registrations, including review of hydrological analyses and reports to ensure projects meet our protective rule requirements. You will also assist colleagues, the public, and other agencies to understand the State’s groundwater standards for environmental compliance and research needs.

For more information, click here.

Site Manager and Hydrogeologist | Washington Department of Ecology

Location: Lacey, WA

Closing Date: October 7, 2021

As a Site Manager, you will help responsible parties through the cleanup process by providing them with technical assistance and guidance. You will review and evaluate technical documents to ensure they are complete and meet compliance requirements. You will get to work with other cleanup site managers with varied backgrounds and experience, and in some cases, you may work as a member of a team if the site is particularly complex.

For more information, click here.

Agency Policy Specialist – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Location: St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, Detroit Lakes, Mankato, Marshall, or Brainerd

Closing Date: October 12, 2021

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is currently seeking an Agency Policy Specialist to develop policy and rules associated with Minnesota’s implementation of the Clean Water Act (CWA).  This position is housed in the Effluent Limits Unit and provides support for implementing water quality standards through municipal and industrial wastewater permits, particularly when unique and innovative approaches are needed.

Job responsibilities may include the following tasks:

• Develop policy for implementation of water quality standards through effluent limits and permit conditions.
• Refine variance implementation procedures.
• Explore use of multi-discharger variances.
• Create frameworks for managing new and emerging pollutants.
• Support revisions to state water quality rules.
• Coordinate with the Agency’s water leadership and EPA.
• Design approaches for implementation of site specific standards and antidegradation rules through new and expanded NPDES wastewater permits.

Good environmental policy considers multiple dimensions including science, law, program mechanics, institutional capacity and the interests of citizens and other organizations. The successful candidate will coordinate with a wide range of internal and external parties when developing approaches to preserve and improve water quality in Minnesota’s lakes and rivers.

For more information, click here.

Environmental Scientist – Desalination – California State Water Resources Control Board

Location: Sacramento, CA

Closing date: October 12, 2021

The incumbent will act in a lead capacity to implement and develop amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California (Ocean Plan) desalination provisions, which is a statewide policy to permit seawater desalination facilities in a manner that minimizes impacts to marine life.

To learn more, click here.

Environmental Scientist – Recycled Water – California State Water Resources Control Board

Location: Sacramento, CA

Closing date: October 11, 2021

The incumbent will act in a lead capacity to implement provisions of the Recycled Water Policy, which is a statewide policy to streamline the permitting of recycled water projects in a manner that protects the environment and public health as one piece of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of long-term drought, climate change, and water supply uncertainty.

To learn more, click here.