News
National SRF BIL Training Workshops
EPA has scheduled a series of 5 national SRF BIL Training Workshops this fall. These training workshops focus on topics important to SRF BIL implementation including reaching disadvantaged communities, BABA, and building the project pipeline. The training is mainly geared toward those experienced in the SRF program who already have a working knowledge of SRF 101 topics. A draft agenda is attached for planning purposes.
These training workshops are also great opportunities to network with colleagues in other states to discuss challenges and share ideas about BIL implementation. Please note that each training workshop is open to any state or region to attend—you can still register for training if one is not scheduled for your region.
The dates and locations for these trainings are as follows:
Location: EPA Region 1 (location TBD—Boston, MA, Chelmsford, MA, or Concord, NH)
Location: EPA Region 10 (location TBD—Seattle, WA or Portland, OR)
Location: EPA Region 9 office in San Francisco, CA
Location: EPA Region 7 office in Lenexa, KS
Location: EPA Region 6 @ TWDB offices in Austin, TX
EPA Announces Availability of $3.6 Million for Tribes to Protect and Expand Critical Wetland Habitats
EPA announced $3.6 million in available funding for federally-recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia to develop or refine wetland programs. During this competitive solicitation, EPA anticipates awarding funding for up to 25 projects that help build wetland capacity, strengthen nation-to-nation relationships, promote equity, and improve climate resilience.
EPA’s Wetland Program Development Grants assist tribal, state, and local government agencies and interstate/intertribal entities in developing or refining comprehensive programs to protect, manage and restore wetlands.
Under this announcement, EPA will support Tribes in developing or refining their programs. Projects will advance the Core Elements of an Effective State and Tribal Wetland Program Framework. The framework includes approaches to monitoring and assessment; voluntary restoration and protection; regulatory approaches; and wetland-specific water quality standards development.
Applicants have until October 7, 2022, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time to submit their applications on Grants.gov for Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OW-OWOW-22-03. See Section IV for further submission information. Further information can be found at Grants.gov.
For more information on Wetland Program Development Grants
EPA Releases New Construction Inspection Training Course for CGP Operators
Construction site operators permitted under EPA’s 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) are required to ensure that any individual conducting site inspections is a “qualified person.” The 2022 CGP includes new requirements for qualified persons that apply to all sites that receive permit coverage on or after February 17, 2023. After this date, an individual may be considered a qualified person only if they:
- Complete EPA’s construction inspector training course and pass the exam, or
- Hold a current valid construction inspection certification or license from a program that, at a minimum, covers principles and practices of erosion control and pollution prevention practices at construction sites; proper installation and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls and pollution prevention practices used at construction sites; and performance of inspections, including the proper completion of required reports and documentation.
EPA’s construction inspection training course and exam are now available for use by any interested individual. The course is available here. Although the 2022 CGP’s new training requirements do not take effect until February 17, 2023, interested individuals are welcome to complete the EPA course any time prior to that date. The training is provided at no cost to the public. If an individual completes the EPA course and passes the exam, that person will be considered qualified to conduct inspections under Part 4 of the 2022 CGP, and will be provided with documentation showing their successful completion of the EPA course. The course is being provided in both English and Spanish; the Spanish language version will be available in late 2022.
Rethinking Manure Biogas
This week the Vermont Law and Graduate Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) released a report titled Rethinking Manure Biogas: Policy Considerations to Promote Equity and Protect the Climate and Environment. The report discusses manure anerobic digesters with a specific focus on equity implications. Included in the report is a survey of funding opportunities for manure biogas systems, environmental impacts of installation and operation, alternative methods to reduce livestock emissions, indirect environmental impacts, and an equity analysis. The report also provides a set of recommendations for regulatory and policy consideration. A copy of the report can be found here.
CAFS uses law and policy to encourage development of a more sustainable and just food system. In partnership with local, regional, national, and international partners, CAFS addresses food system challenges related to food justice, food security, farmland access, animal welfare, worker protections, the environment, and public health, among others. Please click here to learn more.
Association Updates
Clean Water Act 50th Anniversary Photo Contest
ACWA and EPA Office of Water are excited to invite you to participate in an upcoming activity that highlights the importance of the Clean Water Act as we prepare for its 50th Anniversary!
We are asking for photos of the water bodies that you interact with. Any US citizen or permanent resident living in the US or territories over the age of 13 can submit photos for consideration, excluding current federal employees, interns/fellows/externs, or their partners and/or children. ACWA will accept photo submissions between August 9 and August 31.
The photos will then be posted on ACWA’s website and people can vote on their favorites—the winning photos will be used to promote the CWA anniversary. The top three images will also receive a cash prize! The grand prize winner will receive a $500 Amazon gift card. Second and third place photos will each receive $250 Amazon gift cards. Winners will be announced in early October.
You can find more information and submit your photos here.
If you have questions about the contest, please contact Kara McCauley.
Registration Open – 2022 National Stormwater Roundtable
October 19 – 21, 2022
Boston, Massachusetts
Purpose:
The 2022 National Stormwater Roundtable supports implementation of federal and state municipal, industrial, and construction stormwater programs nationwide by sharing best management practices, showcasing innovative federal and 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.
Attendees:
The Stormwater Roundtable is national face to face meeting specifically organized by state and federal regulators for EPA and state program staff representatives. This is a closed meeting. Attendees include:
- State managers, permit writers, inspectors, and compliance staff involved in regulating stormwater
- EPA Headquarter and Regional staff involved in stormwater regulation
- Partnering state and federal agency staff that provide technical and/or regulatory assistance to the stormwater program
- Invited guests
Website: 2022 National Stormwater Roundtable – Boston, Massachusetts
Meetings and Webinars
U.S. EPA on Water Workforce of the Future
Date: Monday, August 24, 2022
Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm eastern
Link: Webinar Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com)
Summary:
U.S. EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center will hold a webinar on August 24 from 1-2 p.m. Eastern on creating the water workforce of the future. Hear from two institutions that are playing an important role. East Central University will discuss a new K-12 STEM-based program called the Educational Program on Awareness, Sustainability, and Service for Water/Wastewater (EdPASS H2o) to educate and prepare students for apprenticeships and jobs in utilities. Grand Rapids Community College will
describe a community-based program to educate and prepare students from disadvantaged communities for utility jobs in western Michigan.
Workforce Webinar: The Role of Academic Institutions
Aug 24, 2022, 1pm EST
Building a “pipeline” of people that are eager to join the water workforce
is a critically important goal for creating the water workforce of the future.
Academic institutions are key partners in achieving this goal.
Please join us on August 24th to hear from two institutions that are playing
an important role. East Central University will discuss a new K-12 STEM-based
program called Educational Program on Awareness, Sustainability, and Service
for Water/Wastewater (EdPASS H2O) to educate and prepare students for
apprenticeships and jobs in utilities. Grand Rapids Community College will
describe a community-based program to educate and prepare students from
disadvantaged communities for utility jobs in western Michigan.
You can register here.
EPA Webinar – Water System Partnerships: Regionalization Solutions for Drinking Water and Wastewater
Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm eastern
Registration: Webinar Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com)
EPA’s Office of Compliance invites you to a free webinar on
Wednesday, August 31, 2022, as part of EPA’s ongoing Technical
Assistance Webinar Series: Improving CWA-NPDES Permit Compliance at Small
Wastewater Treatment Systems.
See the attached detailed announcement for our next scheduled webinar on August 31 (1:00-2:30pm ET) titled, Water System Partnerships: Regionalization Solutions for Drinking Water and Wastewater, featuring
Sarah Buck from Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and Carla Hagerman from US EPA’s Office of Wastewater Management in Washington, DC. See the attached detailed announcement for a more detailed description and/or click here to register.
Water system partnerships are an effective cross-program tool for increasing technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity. This webinar will provide an introduction to TMF capacity, the broad spectrum of water system partnerships, and how partnerships can improve TMF Capacity and increase compliance. Wastewater case studies will be discussed to illustrate the use of partnerships in this sector.
EPA ORD Water Research Webinar: Integrated Approaches in Community Nonpoint Source Nutrient Management
August 24th, 2pm EST | Register Here
This presentation will cover recent research on nutrient inputs, agricultural management, and nitrate (N) concentrations in soil solution and groundwater in Oregon’s southern Willamette River valley. Nonpoint sources are the predominant inputs of N in the area, largely from fertilizer application for a diverse variety of crops grown in the region. In 2012, EPA’s lab in Corvallis was asked by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) to work on N cycling and groundwater N contamination in this GWMA. The primary topics in this presentation include the results from community-driven research on N management and groundwater N trends in the GWMA; describe how and what is communicated with EPA regions, state agencies, crop advisers, and others in the GWMA community about the findings, explanations, implications, and application of study results. Management of nonpoint source pollution in groundwater is an important and widespread challenge in many areas of the US, and this work could help inform other community-based projects tackling this issue.
Presenters: Jana Compton and J. Renée Brooks, USEPA, Corvallis, Oregon
Job Opportunities
Aquatic Biologist | NEIWPCC
Location: Montpelier, VT
Closing Date: Open until filled
Incumbent is responsible for coordination and implementation of activities associated with the Lake Champlain Long-term Water Quality and Biological Monitoring Project (LTMP).
For more information, click here.
Grants Specialist | NEIWPCC
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: Open until filled
Provides administrative support to LCBP Office Manager, LCBP Program Director, LCBP staff, and works closely with NEIWPCC Lowell staff to optimize administration of LCBP and CVNHP grants. Tracks project-level reporting metrics required for various U.S. funding sources. LCBP Grants Specialist will serve as the primary point of contact for all LCBP and CVNHP-supported grants.
For more information, click here.
General Construction Stormwater Inspector | Washington Department of Ecology
Location: Lacey, WA
Closing Date: August 25, 2022
For more information, click here.
Permit Writer (Hydrogeologist 3) | Washington Department of Ecology
Location: Shoreline, WA
Closing Date: August 25, 2022
For more information, click here.
TMDL and Water Quality Improvement Lead | Washington Department of Ecology
Location: Shoreline, WA
Closing Date: August 24, 2022
For more information, click here.
Lake Champlain Communications and Publications Assistant (Part-time, temporary) | NEIWPCC
Location: Grand Isle, VT
Closing Date: August 31, 2022
NEIWPCC and the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) are seeking a creative candidate to assist with communications and publications tasks, including maintenance of LCBP-managed websites and production of LCBP education and outreach materials.
For more information, click here.
