News
H.R. 3898 House Bill Update
Two weeks ago, ACWA published a list of House of Representative bills that were introduced/reintroduced. One of those bills (H.R. 3898), which originally just focused on the WOTUS definition, now has been amended to include a number of the changes that were being proposed in other bills. This may be the one to watch (Amended HR 3898). New provisions relate to, WQS, water quality criteria, water quality technology availability, water quality certifications, energy and tax credits, general permits, fire suppression exemptions, agricultural stormwater discharge, reducing regulatory burdens, judicial review timelines, 10 year permits, JD backlog reduction, definition of navigable waters and CWA jurisdiction, and spill prevention (most of the topics were introduced in bills separately).
Army Corps Published Proposed Rule Re-Issuing and Modifying Nationwide Permits
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has published a proposal to reissue and modify the Nationwide Permits. The public comment period is open through July 18, 2025. The proposed rule outlines the agency’s plans to reissue 56 existing NWPs, with some modifications and general conditions, and issue one new NWP, while also modifying some existing permits and general conditions. These NWPs authorize activities with minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects under Sec. 404 of the CWA and Sec. 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. The proposed rule aims to streamline the authorization process for these activities. The current NWPs will expire on March 14, 2026. ACWA staff are currently reviewing the proposal and considering whether to submit comments.
EPA Selects Four Recipients to Assist Farmers with Nutrient Management
This week EPA announced four Michigan and Ohio grant recipients who will receive $3.7 million to engage farmers and provide nutrient management technical assistance in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Funding is provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Under the GLRI, federal agencies work with nonfederal partners to strategically target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem and to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world. Nutrient runoff from agricultural land is the leading cause of harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. Grant recipients include:
- Ohio Department of Agriculture has been selected for a $1 million grant to employ four conservation agronomist positions within Ohio’s Maumee River watershed. Each position will be paired with a private sector agricultural retailer to help integrate conservation services into their business model. The agronomists will provide technical assistance on 300,000 acres of cropland in the watershed as part of the state’s H2Ohio program with the goal of reducing an estimated 10,000 pounds of total phosphorous entering the waterway.
- The Nature Conservancy has been selected for a $783,616 grant to utilize a farmer-led network of conservation advocates to directly engage 200 other farmers in peer-to-peer learning opportunities across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. TNC will deliver technical training to 60 conservation professionals and will partner with The Ohio State University to create new training and engagement materials.
- Lenawee County Soil and Water Conservation District has been selected for a $937,691 grant to boost its capacity to engage with and provide and technical assistance to Michigan farmers and agricultural retailers. Funds will support two staff positions for four years. SWCD will promote effective fertilizer use and develop an easy-to-use phosphorus management plan template that retailers can use with their clients.
- Regents of the University of Michigan has been selected for a $990,817 grant to provide technical resources, professional development, and web-based tools to track nutrient management plans through five conservation districts, with the goal to increase the number of acres with nutrient management plans in Michigan’s portion of the basin by 2028.
Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Initiative – Seeking New Communities
EPA’s free technical assistance initiative, Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap, is seeking communities in need of help with failing septic systems or total lack of wastewater infrastructure (i.e. straight pipes). This is an opportunity for no-cost assistance to address longstanding wastewater infrastructure failures in small and rural communities across the country and connect those communities to an unprecedented amount of funding still available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If your community, or one you know of, needs assistance – please have them complete this short form to request assistance.
Inflation Reduction Act – Council on Environmental Quality Spending – GAO Report
Lats week GAO released a report regarding CEQ spending of funds provided to them under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. $62.5 million from IRA was appropriated to CEQ to support environmental and climate data collection. CEQ had obligated about $16 million (26 percent) as of December 31, 2024, to hire personnel and award contracts, and most of these obligations were expended. CEQ used its IRA appropriation for environmental and climate data collection to, among other things, develop a scorecard to track federal progress toward environmental justice goals. This effort was based on a now-revoked executive order, and the scorecard is no longer accessible online. As of December 2024, about $46 million in CEQ’s IRA appropriations remained available to be obligated through September 30, 2026. In January 2025, a new executive order required agencies to pause disbursement of IRA appropriations and review their uses for alignment with current polices. In February 2025, CEQ indicated it was reviewing the order’s effect on its uses of IRA appropriations. In April 2025 CEQ provided GAO updated internal guidance that stated CEQ would plan for results when using the remaining IRA appropriations to advance current policy objectives and meet IRA requirements. GAO’s prior work found that planning for results is a key practice that can help federal entities enhance their efforts.
Agricultural Nutrients Policy Council – “Improving Our Water Ways”
Beginning in the spring of 2025, the Agricultural Nutrient Policy Council (ANPC) kicked off a social media campaign using United Soybean Board funding. The campaign slogan is: “Improving Our Water Ways”. The theme has a dual meeting. Farmers and the ag industry are improving the ways they manage inputs on the farm that impact water quality. And all of these efforts are paying off in improving our waterways — from nearby creeks and streams to the tributaries and rivers they feed into all the way to the Gulf. In short, improving our water ways improves our waterways.
The launched social channels, include the following:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agnutrientpolicy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agnutrientpolicy/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agnutrientpolicy/posts/?feedView=all
ANPC has also post the long form content to its website at https://www.agnutrientpolicy.org/
Association Updates
Materials on the Consequences of Potential STAG Funding Cuts to State Programs
ACWA staff developed a set of materials outlining the potential impacts of the President’s FY 2026 Budget Proposal on state and interstate water quality programs. These documents are being shared with key policymakers in D.C. and partner organizations to underscore the serious consequences this proposal could have on state and interstate water programs. Please feel free to use these materials in your outreach efforts.
Notice – No Wrap the Week of June 30, 2025
In observance of the holiday, ACWA will not publish a Weekly Wrap the week of June 30, 2025. Look out for our next edition the week of July 7, 2025.
ACWA’s 64th Annual Meeting in Madison, WI – Registration is Now Open!
Dates: August 13-15th, 2025
Board of Directors will meet August 12th, 2025.
Member Rate – $550
Non-Member Rate – $570
(email Lexy at abailey@acwa-us.org for assistance with registration)
View the draft agenda here.
Lodging is now open for reservation! The room block will close July 18, 2025.
Venue:
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703
Room rate: $138 per night
Check back here for more details.
Your Chance to be Featured in ACWA’s 2025 Annual Report!
As we gear up for our annual report, we’re looking to expand our photo library. We invite you to be a part of the Annual Report by sharing your photographs with us!
Here’s how you can participate:
- Select your best high-resolution water photos
- Email them to Lexy Bailey by June 27th, 2025
- Include your name and the location of the photograph
2025 ACWA CWA Cross-Program Workshop – Hotel Room Block Extended!
Dates: July 21-23, 2025
Location: Chicago (Rosemont), IL
Registration is now open for the 2025 CWA Cross-Program Workshop on July 21-23, 2025, in Chicago (Rosemont) 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.
Registration: Please click here to register. There is no registration fee for this event.
Hotel: Book your hotel room here. The room block will close July 7, 2025.
Agenda: View the draft agenda here.
Objective: CWA Cross-Program Workshops are intended to bring together state, territorial, 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 protect and restore our waters. The 2025 Workshop will focus on opportunities and challenges for administrators of CWA Sections 303(c), 303(d), and 402 in coordinating nutrient management and responses to nutrient pollution.
State, territorial, and federal clean water leaders will identify cross-program challenges and barriers to CWA implementation in the nutrients space; 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.
Participants: The Workshop target audience will be state/territorial clean water regulators with practical experience and responsibilities in supporting and managing CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and/or 402 programs, particularly in the nutrients space, 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.
Website: 2025 Clean Water Cross-Program Workshop – Event Page
ACWA Water Quality Modeling Workshop – Registration Now Available!
Dates: September 16-19, 2025
Location: Atlanta, GA
Registration is available here.
ACWA, in partnership with USEPA, will be holding the 2025 Water Quality Modeling Workshop in Atlanta, GA, the week of September 15, 2025. The 2025 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 training on LSPC and EFDC, as well as a Modeling 201 track, a course featuring hands-on components, presentations, case studies, and discussions. The workshop will start Tuesday, September 16 and wrap up around noon on Friday, September 19.
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.
Lodging is available at the Embassy Suites Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park Hotel at the local per diem rate. The workshop will take place at the EPA Region 4 Offices at 77 Forsyth St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
You may reserve your hotel room here. ACWA will have some travel support available for state staff.
Meetings and Webinars
EPA Water and Healthcare Emergency Response Webinar for WA
Monday, June 30, 2024 – 1:00 pm EDT
REGISTER HERE
EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division is hosting a no cost healthcare/ public health sectors webinar on Monday June 30, 2025. During emergencies impacting water utilities, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, public health agencies, primacy agencies, and local emergency managers should collaborate to minimize detrimental impacts to public health caused by disruptions in drinking water and wastewater services. This webinar will provide insight from state agencies in Washington regarding strategies to increase resiliency in the healthcare and water sectors.
EPA ORD HHN Research Webinar
Applying EPA’s National Nutrient Inventory to quantify landscape nutrient inputs and interception to support state and local water quality objectives.
July 2, 2025 – 2pm ET
Register HERE
Hosted by EPA’s Office of Research and Development, Office of Water, and regional offices, this free webinar series is focused on communicating the latest, cutting-edge research related to nutrients and the priority impacts of nutrient pollution: harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia.
Topics will include regional priorities; regulatory updates; and cutting-edge EPA research related to monitoring and forecasting, prevention, control, and response.
NAWM Webinar: Strategies for States and Tribes Regarding Nationwide General Permits
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 – 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT
REGISTER HERE
This webinar will explore how states, tribes, and the public can prepare to help shape the new package of Nationwide General Permits (NWPs) that will take effect early March 2026. The Corps reissues NWPs every five years and must propose the draft NWPs for public comment and for water quality certification under Clean Water Act section 401. The official notice was posted in the Federal Register on June 16th with only a 30-day commenting window. The expiring NWP package raised numerous issues when they were proposed in 2020, both substantive and procedural, and many expect similar issues to recur in the new package. This webinar first will provide a general overview of NWPs as well as the section 401 water quality certification process. Then, state and tribal staff who reviewed and commented on past NWPs will explore how agencies and the public can prepare for what is expected to be a short window for public comments on the draft permits. Speakers also will discuss data and analyses that state and tribal certifying agencies could begin to collect now that could inform their water quality certification decisions. The webinar will have ample opportunity for Q&As.
PANELISTS:
- Donna Downing, NAWM
- Jon Devine, NRDC
- Ken Norton, National Tribal Water Council and Director of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Environmental Protection Agency
- Grace Leppink-Walz, Fond du Lac Tribe
- Samantha Vogeler, Kentucky Division of Water
- TBD
Building the Ark: Neighborhood Stormwater Strategies for Grasslyn Manor
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
Register HERE
This session will present the community-led development of a stormwater strategy for the Grasslyn Manor area of Sherman Park, Milwaukee. Residents have experienced persistent stormwater concerns; in partnership with firm Greenprint Partners, a group of engaged residents formed an Advisory Group to share their stories and concerns. Residents identified and explored potential solutions to stormwater issues. In collaboration with Greenprint, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), and the Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW), they aim to reinforce their hopes for a dry Grasslyn Manor. Hear from the local community, as well as their technical partners, on how they engaged their neighbors, identified an action plan, and got to work to advance some early wins. Presenters: Sydney VanKuren, Director, Planning, Greenprint Partners and Steve O’Connell, Resident Leader, Grasslyn Manor
Job Opportunities
Environmental Economist
Location: St. Paul, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Rochester, Marshall, or Mankato, MN
Closing Date: July 8, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit MN Careers.
Hydrologist
Job ID #: 87041
Location: Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, MN
Closing Date: July 9, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit MN Careers.
Environmental Analyst – Long Island Bioextraction Assistant
Location: Kings Park, NY
Closing Date: July 13, 2025
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by July 13, 2025. Please reference #25-NYS-LIS-DEC-001 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 Specialist III
Location: Portland, ME
Closing Date: July 18, 2025
This position is a stormwater compliance inspector in the Division of Water Quality Management (DWQM). The position requires extensive fieldwork conducting compliance inspections and audits for a variety of industrial, commercial, and municipal discharges in the Southern Maine region based out of Portland.
For more information on the specifics of the position, please contact Holliday Keen at (207) 242-4649 or visit Maine State Jobs.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
