News
House Appropriators Release the Interior, Environment and Releated Agencies Appropriations Act of 2025
House Appropriators released the FY 2025 appropriations bill for the EPA this week. The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $38.478 billion, which is $72 million (0.2%) below the Fiscal Year 2024 enacted level and $4.407 billion (10%) below the President’s Budget Request. The bill provides $7.36 billion for the EPA, which is $1.8 billion (20%) below the FY24 enacted level and $3.63 billion below the President’s Budget Request. The legislation Provides $2.25 billion for Environmental Programs and Management, which is $927.58 million (29%) below the FY24 enacted level and $2.16 billion below the President’s Budget Request and maintains most geographic programs at the FY24 enacted level. Finally, the legislation provides $3.67 billion for State and Tribal Assistance Grants, which is $748.7 million (17%) below the FY24 enacted level and $857.8 million below the President’s Budget Request, which is in addition to funding already provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for FY25. A draft of the legislation is available here and a summary of the key takeaways is available here.
EPA Revises Guidelines for Section 319 Grant Recipients; ACWA/EPA Briefing for States
EPA has announced that it has finalized its revised guidelines for states, territories, and D.C. that have been awarded Federal grants under section 319 of the Clean Water Act for the implementation of nonpoint source management programs. The 2024 guidelines describe the requirements that apply to recipients of grants made with funds appropriated by Congress under the CWA. The revised guidelines replace the Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines for States and Territories that have been in effect since the FY2014 cycle. EPA says that these revisions are intended to advance new science and information, engage communities, and guide the national Nonpoint Source Program. You can find more info on the revised guidelines here.
On July 9, at 2:00 pm ET, ACWA will host a virtual briefing on Zoom for state clean water regulators from EPA’s Nonpoint Source Management Branch regarding the newly finalized guidelines. Please click here to register for the Zoom meeting.
U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Deference Precedent
On June 28, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion that overturns the 40-year old Chevron deference decision, which had given federal agencies broad power to interpret statutes and issue regulations where statutory language was deemed vague. In Loper Bright Enterprises et al v Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce et al, Justice Roberts in writing for the majority concluded “[t]he Administrative Procedure Act requires courts to exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority, and courts may not defer to an agency interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous; Chevron is overruled.” The Court further goes on and says “Chevron cannot be reconciled with the APA by presuming that statutory ambiguities are implicit delegations to agencies. That presumption does not approximate reality. A statutory ambiguity does not necessarily reflect a congressional intent that an agency as opposed to a court, resolve the resulting interpretive question.”
The specific facts in this case relate to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) which was intended to, among other things, address overfishing. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which administers the MSA under delegation from the Secretary of Commerce, develops plans and issues regulations to implement MSA goals. Under the statue, plans may require “one or more observers be carried on board” domestic vessels “for the purpose of collecting data necessary for the conservation and management of the fishery.” The MSA also specifies who bears the burden of cost for the observers for different fish species in different parts of the oceans. The MSA did not specifically address whether Atlantic herring fisherman may be required to bear costs associated with any observers mandated by an NMFS plan. In 2020, an NMFS plan to create a fee program funded by Atlantic herring fisherman was finalized and then challenged by several fisherman. The District Court granted summary judgment to the Government and the D.C Circuit Court affirmed using a Chevron deference analysis.
The Supreme Court overruled the appellate decision and in this 6-3 decision eliminated Chevron deference from administrative law.
ROBERTS, C. J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which THOMAS, ALITO, GORSUCH, KAVANAUGH, and BARRETT, JJ., joined. THOMAS, J., and GORSUCH, J., filed concurring opinions. KAGAN, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which SOTOMAYOR, J., joined, and in which JACKSON, J., joined.
Association Updates
ACWA Leadership Elections – Vote Today!
The ACWA Leadership Election ballot is open.
ACWA’s Leadership Election ballot is currently open and all ACWA members should have received an email with a link to the ballot from the Executive Director. If you did not receive a link to the ballot, contact Julia Anastasio. The odd Regions are up for election this year along with the Executive Officers. Please vote no later than Noon ET on August 1, 2022. All “members in good standing” may participate in these elections, but cast only one vote per state/interstate. The “member in good standing” is the formal or primary ACWA representative for the state/interstate agency that paid dues for the previous fiscal year (FY2024). If you are unsure whether your FY2024 dues are paid contact Julia Anastasio or Annette Ivey.
Notice – No Wrap the Week of July 1st
In observance of the holiday, ACWA will not publish a Weekly Wrap next week. Look out for our next issue the week of July 8th.
2024 Annual Meeting – Early Bird Rate Ending July 5th!
View the draft agenda here.
Reserve Your Lodging at Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette French Quarter Area.
Early Bird Registration rates are now available. Register here. Please reach out to Lexy Bailey, Member Services Associate, for assistance.
More information can be found here on ACWA’s website.
Save The Date: 2024 National Stormwater Roundtable
Dates: October 22 – 24, 2024
City: Washington, DC
Meeting Space: EPA HQ Meeting Space
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Washington
Website: 2024 National Stormwater Roundtable
This week ACWA sent out emails regarding agenda topics, potential presenters, volunteers for the Agenda Planning Committee, and travel support. If you did not receive a related email, please contact Sean Rolland at srolland@acwa-us.org.
Meetings and Webinars
2024 Water Quality Modeling Workshop – Registration Now Open!
Dates: September 16 – 20, 2024
City: Philadelphia, PA
ACWA, in partnership with USEPA, will be holding the 2024 Water Quality Modeling Workshop in Philadelphia, PA, the week of September 16, 2024. The 2024 Water Quality Modeling Workshop supports implementation of state programs by continuing to build a community of practice among state agency staff who use or want to use water quality modeling in state water quality programs.
This year we will be offering hands-on trainings on WASP, SWAT+, and a Modeling 201: Demystifying your Modeling Project course which will feature presentations, case studies, and discussions.
This workshop is for state program managers and staff involved in water quality modeling, as well as for both Regional and Headquarters-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers and staff.
You may register for the workshop here.
To register, you will need access to ACWA’s member portal. If you are EPA staff, please reach out Lexy Bailey (abailey@acwa-us.org) for help getting set up. This workshop has 3 distinct tracks – including two hands-on trainings. Hands on trainings will be offered for WASP and SWAT+. A third track – Modeling 201 – will feature some hands-on work along with lectures and discussions.
Space is limited, so once you register, you will automatically be placed on the wait list. You will receive a confirmation email at a later date. This is to ensure an equal opportunity for some states that may need a few weeks to ensure they are able to participate.
Lodging is available at the Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square at the local per diem rate. The workshop will also take place in the hotel’s event space. You may Reserve your hotel room here.
ACWA does anticipate having some travel support for airfare and lodging.
Job Opportunities
Natural Resources Analyst (Nonpoint Source Program)
Location: Various Locations – WY
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Human Health Risk Assessor
Location: Various locations, MN
Closing Date: July 1, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Engineer, PE
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: July 7, 2024
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #24-NY-IEM-001 in the email subject line. Application deadline is July 7, 2024. 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 Engineer, EIT
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: July 7, 2024
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #24-NY-IEM-002 in the email subject line. The application deadline is July 7, 2024. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits listing may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Onsite Program Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3 – Environmental Health Specialist)
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon
Closing Date: July 10, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Soil Scientist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
Location: Bend, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon (finalist may choose work location)
Closing Date: July 11, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Chemical of Emerging Concern Coordinator
Location: Thurston County- Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Municipal Facility Management Engineer
Location: King County – Shoreline, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
