News
FY2024 EPA Budget Summary
This week, the House and Senate Appropriations Committee are considering funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget for Fiscal Year 2024. If passed, the agreement would provide $9 Billion in funding for EPA. The agreement would provide $72 Million in funding for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. The bill would provide $4 Billion for State and Tribal Assistance Grants programs. The bill would also include $787 Million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $631 Million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. $30 Million of funding would be provided to a competitive grant program for non-profit organizations to provide technical assistance to improve water quality systems.
The agreement would provide $682 Million to various Geographic Programs, including allocation to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound, Long Island Sound, Gulf of Mexico, and Lake Champlain. Through the National Estuary Program, $40 Million would be allocated for each of the 28 national estuaries authorized in the Clean Water Act with an additional $2.5 Million for competitive grants.
The proposed funding also allocates $6 Million to carry out research to prevent and control Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), including research to identify and determine the impact of existing technologies for nutrient prevention and treatment, identify and improve upon emerging prevention and treatment technologies, and develop new technologies and best management practices for reducing HABs. Additionally, the EPA is expected to utilize the allocation formula to ensure that funding is appropriated effectively to Nonpoint Source Section 319 programs.
Regarding PFAS and Contaminants of Emerging Concern, EPA will brief the Committees on PFAS-related actions to provide details on FY24 spending within 60 days of this bill being passed. $12 Million is to be allocated for support of States, Territories, and Tribes for “addressing PFAS and other contaminants of emerging concern.”
For more information about the proposed funding, view the summary here.
New EPA Office Agricultural and Rural Communities
Last week EPA announced that it was establishing a new office to expand engagement opportunities with agricultural and rural communities. The new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will be led by Rod Snyder, who has served as EPA’s Senior Advisor for Agriculture since October 2021. EPA is saying the new office will coordinate closely with EPA’s program offices and regions, and that this new office “will forge practical, science-based solutions that protect the environment while ensuring a vibrant and productive agricultural system.” The new office is expected to also “collaborate with small, underserved towns and rural communities that are seeking federal investments in infrastructure upgrades and other community improvement opportunities.” Please visit the Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs website for more information.
EPA Report – “Climate Change in the Drinking Water and Wastewater Sectors and the Impact on Financial Resilience, Insurability, and Credit and Investment Quality”
EPA’s Climate Finance Working Group has announced that its March 2024 report, “Climate Change in the Drinking Water and Wastewater Sectors and the Impact on Financial Resilience, Insurability, and Credit and Investment Quality” has gone live on EPA’s website. The Climate Finance Working Group was convened in 2022 to bring together subject matter experts from the financial and insurance industries, academia, and water sector utility managers to investigate the impacts of climate change on water utility bond ratings and credit worthiness. The Working Group’s goals are to share information to foster a cross-disciplinary understanding of the effects of climate-related vulnerabilities, how water utilities manage associated risks, and how financial and insurance industries utilize this information when assessing water sector utility credit worthiness.
In 2024, the Working Group is investigating and discussing three main topics: (1) Data to identify climate change threats at water sector utilities; (2) Methods and practices to identify and assess climate change risks; and (3) Effective outreach and disclosure practices to manage these risks.
ACWA Assisting EPA Request for State Clean Water Climate Success Stories
EPA is collecting success stories, BMPs, SOPs, case studies, templates, and other examples of instances where states have successfully incorporated climate considerations, requirements, or elements into their clean water and water resource management programs. ACWA and ASDWA are assisting in the collection of these examples so that states and stakeholders may share, learn, and implement proven techniques into their own programs. EPA will post state success stories to its ARC-X website. States and territories interested in helping with this effort should contact Ward Scott for a template to submit information or for any questions. Thank you for your help with this effort.
U.S. EPA Human Studies Review Board Nominations Now Open
The U.S. EPA is seeking nominations for technical experts to serve on its Human Studies Review Board (HSRB). The Human Studies Review Board is a federal advisory committee that provides independent advice and recommendations to EPA on proposed and completed third party pesticide or disinfection research involving intentional human subject exposures. EPA is seeking members with expertise in the areas of toxicology, bioethics, and statistics. Members may serve terms of up to six years.
Individuals and organizations can nominate themselves or others, respectively, by using the nomination form on the HSRB website. The nomination period is open until March 29, 2024.
Information on the HSRB can be found at https://www.epa.gov/osa/human-studies-review-board. Details regarding areas of expertise sought, process for submitting nominations, and selection criteria can also be found in the relevant Federal Register notice published on March 6, 2024.
OIG Report: CDX Cybersecurity Risks
On March 4, 2024 OIG issued an alert highlighting there may be significant unresolved vulnerabilities in the CDX system. In August 2022 OIG initiated an audit to review EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX). While conducting work on that audit, which remains ongoing, OIG made the decision to issue a management alert informing the Agency of significant unresolved vulnerabilities in the CDX system. These vulnerabilities increase the risk of threat actors gaining unauthorized access to CDX and other connected program services. Additionally, OIG are alerted the Agency of deficiencies in validating the completion of the CDX plans of action and milestones (POA&Ms) for several vulnerabilities. A copy of the full report can be found here.
Association Updates
2024 Mid-Year Meeting Registration
Dates: March 26 & 27, 2024
Venue: The Washington Marriott Metro Center DC
Registration is live for the upcoming 2024 ACWA Mid-Year Meeting. This year’s meeting will take place on March 26 & 27, 2024, in Washington, D.C. This will be a closed meeting intended for state members and federal guests. The agenda is in development and will be updated as appropriate.
Register here!
If you or the person you are registering already has an account with Member365, please use that login information to complete your registration. If you are unsure whether or not you have an account, or need assistance accessing your existing account, please contact Lexy Bailey, Member Services Associate.
Check back here for more updates.
2024 National CAFO Roundtable – Registration Now Live!
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Date: April 30 – May 3, 2024
Purpose: The 2024 National CAFO Roundtable supports the implementation of animal agriculture programs nationwide by helping support states and EPA to further identify challenges & barriers to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) program implementation, sharing new technologies, best management practices, showcasing innovative state programs and initiatives, 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 agriculture industry and other stakeholders.
Attendees: The CAFO Roundtable is a meeting of state AFO/CAFO regulators and EPA regional and headquarters representatives. Attendees generally include:
- State program managers, permit writers and inspectors involved in regulating AFOs/CAFOs
- EPA Headquarter and Regional staff involved in AFO/CAFO regulation
- Partnering state and federal agency staff that provide technical and/or regulatory assistance to AFOs/CAFOs
- Invited Guests
ACWA Meeting Webpage: 2024 National CAFO Roundtable – Association of Clean Water Administrators (acwa-us.org)
2024 Water Quality Standards Workshop
Dates: April 16-18, 2024
Venue: Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North, Albuquerque, NM
ACWA will be holding the 2024 Water Quality Standards Workshop April 16-18, 2024, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This workshop is a national meeting for State program managers and staff involved in water quality standards, as well as for both Regional and Headquarters-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers and staff. This workshop will primarily feature case studies and presentations on how states have worked towards developing water quality standards for complex criteria.
ACWA does anticipate having travel support for state staff.
You may Register here!
View the draft agenda here.
Lodging is now available at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North. ACWA has procured the local gov’t per diem rate of $141/night. Reserve your hotel room with this link.
Meetings and Webinars
EPA Tools and Resources Webinar: Nutrient Explorer
On March 13, at 3:00 pm ET, EPA will host a webinar on its Nutrient Explorer tool, which is a downloadable tool for modeling relationships between watershed land use, climate, and other variables and surface water nutrient concentrations. This interactive application allows users to explore spatial patterns and temporal trends in surface water nutrient datasets and can be applied by decision makers to different locations and surface water bodies to identify the most influential drivers of excess nutrient concentrations and to prioritize watersheds for restoration.
Excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) in lakes can lead to eutrophication, hypoxia, and algal blooms that may harm aquatic life and people. Some U.S. states have established numeric water quality criteria for nutrients to protect surface waters. However, monitoring to determine if criteria are being met is limited by resources and time. EPA’s Nutrient Explorer can help managers locate and prioritize areas where nutrients in surface waters are predicted to exceed certain water quality thresholds.
Register for the webinar by clicking here.
ACWA Legal Affairs Committee Meeting – April 30, 2024
On April 30 at 2:00 pm ET, ACWA’s Legal Affairs Committee will host a meeting to discuss the recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion in Idaho Conservation League v. Poe, in which a private party was found to have violated the CWA when he dumped suction dredge mining waste into WOTUS without a required NPDES permit. We will be joined by Bryan Hurlbutt with Advocates for the West, who represented Idaho Conservation League in the case, and will lead the discussion.
Please register for the meeting by clicking here.
For more information about Idaho Conservation League v. Poe, please click here. Thank you for your continued support of ACWA.
Job Opportunities
Water Quality and Business Operations Intern
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: March 10, 2024
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by March 10, 2024.
Please reference #24-Lowell-003 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is
filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Biologist III, Water Quality Standards Coordinator, Maine DEP (Anticipated Vacancy)
Location: Augusta, ME
Closing Date: March 12, 2024
The Water Quality Standards (WQS) Coordinator oversees the Department’s responsibilities related to the administration of state and federal water quality laws and regulations (e.g. Federal Clean Water Act). The primary purpose of these laws and regulations is to ensure that Maine waters are clean and safe for humans and aquatic organisms. Duties include providing scientific and technical advice relating to WQS; reporting to the Maine State Legislature and federal government on the WQS attainment status of waterbodies; recommending changes to WQS; and coordinating the implementation of changes in statutes and rules. The position provides oversight and review of quality assurance documents to ensure high quality data are collected by DEP and partners. The position supervises four staff, including the Maine Healthy Beaches Program Coordinator, EGAD Data Manager, GIS Specialist, and Volunteer Monitoring Specialist.
For more information and to apply, visit Maine Bureau of Human Resources.
Environmental GIS Specialist
Location: Topeka, KS
Closing Date: March 13, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit the State of Kansas employment website.
Hudson River Research & Monitoring Seasonal Intern
Location: Staatsburg, NY
Closing Date: March 17, 2024
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by March
17, 2024. Please reference #24-HRNERR-002 in the email subject line. 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 – Wastewater
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Closing Date: March 21, 2024
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources presents an exciting opening for a wastewater engineer who embodies technical proficiency, a strong customer-centric approach, and a keen eye for detail. We invite you to join our Wastewater Engineering team in the role of an Environmental Engineer to contribute to the preservation of water quality. This position is situated within the Wastewater Engineering Section of the Environmental Services Division’s Water Quality Bureau. As a wastewater engineer, you will play a pivotal role in our engineering team, dedicated to safeguarding the environment and public health. Your responsibilities will encompass the critical tasks of reviewing construction permit applications, managing wastewater treatment and collection system infrastructure projects, which include approving engineering planning reports, antidegradation alternatives analyses, plans and specifications. You will also be responsible for granting construction permits primarily for the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRF) funded wastewater projects and some non-funded wastewater projects.
For more information, click Wastewater Engineer.
Information Officer – Contracts Management
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: March 24, 2024
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by
March 24, 2024. Please reference #24-Lowell-005 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Engineer
Location: Des Moines, IA
Closing Date: March 26, 2024 11:59 PM
Looking to be an integral part of the team that creates the foundation for improving Iowa’s surface waters? The DNR is excited to present an opportunity to work for the State of Iowa as a TMDL modeling engineer. TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) are watershed-wide models that act as the starting plan to improve waterbodies that are impaired for various pollutants. TMDLs are highly technical documents. As such, this posting is intended for applicants with a degree in environmental, agricultural, or civil engineering. May 2024 graduates are welcome to apply. Additionally, due to the high number of impairments on lakes in the state, the DNR welcomes applicants with degrees in limnology AND experience with modeling tools to apply as well.
For specific job duties, requirements, and application information, visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/4419092/environmental-engineer-tmdl-modeling-engineer?sort=PostingDate%7CDescending&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Environmental Analyst IV, Total Maximum Daily Load Section
Location: Worcester, MA
Closing Date: Open until filled (first consideration will be given to applications received within 14 days of the February 29th posting date)
MassDEP seeks applicants for an TMDL Analyst (Environmental Analyst IV) within the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Section, Watershed Planning Program (WPP), Bureau of Water Resources. Under supervision of the TMDL Section Chief, the TMDL Analyst will assist in supporting water quality modeling and interpretation of results for draft and final TMDLs. These TMDLs or alternative plans will be developed to guide both water quality protection measures and restoration efforts. The TMDL Analyst will work to oversee consultants, participate in advisory committees, assist in the review of models and the development and review of TMDL reports and alternative plans, and interact with the public. The position will be based in Worcester at the Watershed Planning Program’s office, 8 New Bond Street, but will operate within the Commonwealth’s current hybrid work model.
For more information and to apply, see MassCareers Job Opportunities.
Water Quality Assessment Analyst (Environmental Analyst III)
Location: Worcester, MA
Closing Date: Open until filled (first consideration will be given to applications received within 14 days of the February 29th posting date)
MassDEP seeks applicants for the position of Assessment Analyst (Environmental Analyst III) in the Watershed Planning Program (WPP), Division of Watershed Management, Bureau of Water Resources. WPP is a statewide program with five Sections that each have a different technical focus under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), such as the Data Management & Water Quality Assessment Section, which develops and manages key data systems for reporting water quality information to EPA and the public. WPP collects chemical, physical, and biological data throughout the Commonwealth to determine the health status of surface waters pursuant to CWA s. 305(b) and s. 303(d). Under the supervision of WPP’s Assessment Coordinator, the Assessment Analyst will compile and analyze data to assess surface water quality conditions in Massachusetts as mandated by the CWA.
For more information and to apply, see MassCareers Job Opportunities.
Construction Stormwater Program Coordinator
Location: Salt Lake County, UT
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Utah Division of Water Quality Construction Stormwater Program Coordinator oversees Utah’s more than 5,000 construction stormwater UPDES permits. You will serve as the state’s technical and policy expert on construtcion stormwater permitting by preparing permits, inspecting sites, and providing technical assistance and outreach to stormwater permittees.
For more information and to apply online click here.
Senior General Permits Manager
Location: Spokane, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
General Permit Coordinator
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s jobs page.
