News
ACWA Submits Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Testimony
ACWA submitted written testimony to congressional appropriators on Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency. The letter urges congressional appropriators to robustly support water programs funded through the § 106 State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG), the §319 programs, and the geographic programs like the Chesapeake Bay, the Long Island Sound, and the Gulf Hypoxia Task Force. The letter stresses that a strong federal-state partnership through the robust FY2026 appropriations is essential. At a minimum, we request you maintain funding at Fiscal Year 2024 funding levels to address these needs until the administration determines which federal agency resources and responsibilities will remain. Adequately funding state programs is in the national interest, impacts economic development and underpins the successes achieved under the CWA over the last 50+ years.
EPA and USACE Host WOTUS Federalism “Kick Off” Meeting, Request Recommendations on Waters of the United States
On Monday, March 24, EPA published an announcement in the Federal Register, WOTUS Notice: The Final Response to SCOTUS: Establishment of a Public Docket; Request for Recommendations. In its announcement, EPA and USACE indicated their intention to engage with State and Tribal co-regulators, industry and agricultural stakeholders, environmental and conservation stakeholders, and the public on certain key topics related to the implementation of the definition of “waters of the United States” in light of the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Sacket v. Environmental Protection Agency.
On April 3, ACWA staff participated in an EPA/USACE Federalism “Kick-Off” meeting to discuss the agencies’ upcoming plans for regulatory revisions to “Waters of the United States” to comport with the Sackett ruling. Please click here to view the slide deck presented during the meeting.
In addition to upcoming listening sessions, the agencies are accepting written recommendations from members of the public via a recommendations docket. Written recommendations must be received on or before April 23, 2025. Written recommendations may be submitted electronically to OW-Docket@epa.gov (include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0093. In addition to any comments from individual states, please let ACWA know if there are particular responses that your state would like ACWA to communicate to EPA on behalf of all states and territories regarding this matter. Please contact Ward Scott (wscott@acwa-us.org) with any questions, issues, or specific responses/recommendations to this announcement.
New Grantee Terms and Conditions
On March 25, 2025 EPA issued updates to their General Terms and Conditions for grantees. Noteworthy updates included:
- #3 Termination – EPA added a section that allows the agency to terminate an award that no longer effectuates program goals or agency priorities and applies to new awards or funding amendments made on or after March 25, 2025.
- # 8 Establishing and Managing Subawards – EPA provides more detail regarding selection, management, compliance responsibilities, risk factors, and response.
- #27 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises – EPA no longer certifies MBEs/WBEs, EPA is suspending negotiations of fair share objectives, and suspending some record keeping and reporting.
- #54 Federal Anti-Discrimination Law – the recipient agrees to remain compliant with all federal anti-discrimination laws and not operate any program promoting DEI.
This document has since been removed from EPA’s website. We will provide a link once the new version is reposted again.
Association Updates
2025 Water Quality Standards Workshop!
Dates: April 22-24, 2025
Location: Des Moines, IA
Registration is currently on a waitlist. Please contact Jasper Hobbs and Lexy Bailey with any questions.
This workshop is a national meeting organized by ACWA for state staff involved in state water quality standards programs, as well as for both Regional and Headquarters-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers and staff. More information, including an updated agenda may be found here.
The workshop will be held at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Des Moines. Reserve your hotel room here: ACWA Water Quality Standards Workshop.
Save The Date for ACWA’s 64th Annual Meeting in Madison, WI!
Dates: August 13-15th, 2025
Board of Directors will meet August 12th, 2025.
Lodging is now open for reservation!
Venue:
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703
Room rate: $138 per night
Registration and more information will be coming soon. Check back here for more details.
Save the Date: 2025 ACWA CWA Cross-Program Workshop
Dates: July 21-23, 2025
Location: Chicago (Rosemont), IL
ACWA will host the 2025 CWA Cross-Program Workshop on July 21-23, 2025 in Chicago at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. The theme for this year’s Workshop will be “CWA Cross-Program Coordination to Improve Nutrient Management and Address Nutrient Pollution.” The 2025 Workshop is the third annual Cross-Program Workshop held in cooperation with EPA.
Cross-Program Workshops bring together state and federal CWA program administrators to discuss and share ways in which cross-program coordination and collaboration can be strengthened to more effectively and efficiently restore and protect the nation’s waters. Participants identify cross-program challenges and barriers to CWA implementation; work toward solutions to cross cutting water quality topics; identify ways to improve technical capabilities; highlight opportunities for cross-program planning, implementation, and co-operation; and clarify linkages, roles, and responsibilities among CWA programs.
The Workshop target audience will be state regulators from around the country with practical experience and responsibilities in supporting and managing CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and/or 402 programs, as well as EPA representatives for each of the programs. Attendees should come prepared to discuss ways in which cross-program coordination has been an important aspect of successful program and/or restoration plan implementation, as well as cross-program challenges and needs.
Agenda and Registration: Registration information and a draft agenda will be available soon.
Hotel: Book your hotel room here. The room block will close June 30, 2025.
Travel Support: ACWA plans to provide limited state travel support in the form of a post-Workshop reimbursement. Please contact Ward Scott directly if you know you will require travel support to attend the Workshop.
Meetings and Webinars
EPA Tools & Resources Training Webinar: Detection and Forecasting of Harmful Algal Blooms (April 16, 2025)
EPA will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 16, from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET to present two EPA research efforts related to detecting and forecasting cyanoHABs. The first uses satellite data to predict weekly probabilities of cyanoHABs in over 2000 U.S. lakes. EPA launched the public beta test forecast website for the 2024 active HAB season, and a newly updated forecasting website is planned for 2025. The forecasting has 91% overall accuracy, allowing states and local partners to prepare for, and quickly respond to, cyanoHAB events, mitigate health risks, and protect public health. The second research effort uses cyanotoxin encoding genes as an early warning system to predict cyanoHABs in source and recreational waters throughout the U.S.
Please click here to here to register for the Detection and Forecasting of HABs webinar
Job Opportunities
Environmental Compliance Inspector
Location: Helena, MT
Closing Date: April 5, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit Montana’s Official State Website.
Environmental Analyst – Long Island Sound Regional Coordinator
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: April 5, 2025
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by April 6, 2025. Please reference #25-LISS-001 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Analyst II
Location: Springfield, MA
Closing Date: April 8, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit MassCareers Job Opportunities.
Environmental Analyst I – Asbestos Program Springfield
Location: Springfield, MA
Closing Date: April 8, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit MassCareers Job Opportunities.
Colorado Water Quality Standards Criteria Unit – Manager
Location: Denver, CO
Closing Date: April 8, 2025
Colorado’s Water Quality Standards – Criteria Unit is seeking an experienced and dedicated Unit Manager to lead an exceptionally talented team. This unit is responsible for reviewing and developing water quality standards to protect the beneficial uses of Colorado’s waters. The work involves conducting scientific research and statistical analyses, evaluating regulatory and policy approaches, performing fieldwork, and thoughtfully incorporating principles of health equity and environmental justice.
The Unit’s efforts culminate in recommendations for water quality classifications and standards presented to the Water Quality Control Commission. In addition, the team provides technical assistance and support to other sections within the Water Quality Control Division, develops implementation guidance, and collaborates with other programs at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to support effective application of water quality standards.
Upcoming Announcement: Colorado Water Quality Standards Feasibility Unit – Small Communities Feasibility Coordinator
This position is part of a team that provides scientific analysis, policy and regulatory recommendations, and other technical information to the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC). The unit’s work involves researching and analyzing complex water quality topics to support the development, implementation, and review of water quality standards variances in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act and the Colorado Water Quality Control Act.
Our team’s Small Community Feasibility Coordinator develops economic, technological, and environmental feasibility tools to scale our program’s support for small communities working to improve water quality. This work includes connecting with communities and conducting technical work to support the development of robust policy proposals that maximize feasible water quality progress throughout Colorado. By evaluating cost-effective and practical approaches, the coordinator ensures that small communities have the resources and insights needed to implement sustainable improvements while considering their unique constraints.
An ideal candidate:
- Effectively translates engineering concepts for decision-makers and communities.
- Conducts independent research and develops clear, actionable resources.
- Understands policy, economics, and philosophy and their impact on water quality.
- Solves problems proactively, connecting people, data, and systems.
If you’re interested in this position, enjoy solving difficult problems, and having a meaningful impact, please reach out to blake.beyea@state.co.us with any questions or for more information. The official job announcement is expected to open (Spring 2025).
Aquatic Invasive Species Boat Launch Stewards
Location: Lake Champlain, NY and VT
Closing Date: Open until filled
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org; please reference #25-LCBP-003 in
the email subject line. Application review will begin on February 2, 2025, and will continue on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/aboutus/careers.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
