Brett Walton

About Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club's Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton

Federal Water Tap, September 6: President Obama Signs Paris Agreement, Pledges Salton Sea Help

September 6, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The United States joins a global climate agreement, while the secretary of state speaks bluntly in India about energy choices. President Obama promises federal attention to the shrinking Salton Sea. The EPA’s internal watchdog will investigate the agency’s oversight of state drinking water programs, while an EPA regional office tells New York City […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

U.S., Mexican Scientists Collaborate on Border Aquifer Research

August 31, 2016/in Groundwater, Water Management, Water News/by Brett Walton

First-ever assessment program confirms boundaries of two shared aquifers. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue Not only are they geographic features, the rivers that mark the U.S.-Mexico border are also cultural icons. In March 2014, when the Colorado River surged into its delta for the first time in decades, the riverside town of San Luis […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, August 29: Odds of Colorado River Shortage Drop Slightly in New Forecast

August 29, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The lower Colorado River Basin is still looking at roughly a 50/50 chance of a shortage declaration as soon as 2018. A federal judge will soon decide whether to block construction of an oil pipeline that crosses the Missouri River. President Obama tours the Louisiana flood zone and designates a new national monument […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Groundwater Shared by Countries Is Knowledge Void

August 29, 2016/in Asia, Groundwater, Water Management, Water News/by Brett Walton

Management of transboundary aquifers is on the United Nations agenda this fall. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue The Mekong River Delta is under immense pressure. Upstream, a cascade of dams in China trap water and silt, the building blocks of delta life. Downstream, demand for irrigation water is rising in the world’s rice bowl. […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, August 22: U.S. Geological Survey Creates Interactive Map of Dam Removal Science

August 22, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Researchers compile dam removal studies into an easy-to-use online portal. President Obama declares four Louisiana parishes federal disaster areas, while FEMA updates its flood management policy. NOAA unveils a high-power water forecasting model. A Department of Energy lab tests the “salmon cannon.” The Air Force replaces a firefighting foam that was contaminating groundwater. […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Conservation Prevents Colorado River Shortage Declaration

August 17, 2016/in United States, Water Management, Water News/by Brett Walton

Lake Mead forecast to remain above shortage trigger in 2017. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue A resolute effort in Arizona, California, and Nevada to reduce Colorado River water use is slowing the decline of Lake Mead and delaying mandatory restrictions on water withdrawals from the drying basin. The Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

U.S. Hydropower Grows By Going Small

August 16, 2016/in Hydropower, United States, Water & Energy, Water News/by Brett Walton

Hydropower expansion relies on improving existing dams. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue Change is coming for the 90-year-old Point Marion Lock and Dam, change that could signal a new direction for America’s water and power infrastructure. More than a decade ago a steady flow of barges passed through Point Marion, on the Monongahela River […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, August 15: U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Carbon Accounting Rules

August 15, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown A federal appeals court affirms the Obama administration’s social cost of carbon guidance. EPA science advisory panel criticizes the agency’s fracking study. A mining company agrees to pay $US 143 million to prevent water contamination from a closed molybdenum mine in New Mexico while Congressional Republicans question the EPA about mining regulations. NASA […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, August 8: Army Corps Approves River-Crossing Permit for Dakota Oil Pipeline

August 8, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Permit allows 1,100-mile oil pipeline to cross under the Missouri River. The White House puts climate change at the center of federal agency environmental planning while the world’s glaciers are on a long losing streak. A coal company pays a $US 3 million Clean Water Act fine. Watchdog agency tells Army Corps to […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Colorado River’s Tale of Two Basins

August 2, 2016/in Infrastructure, United States, Water Management, Water News/by Brett Walton

Water diversions upstream increase risk in stressed watershed. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue In Colorado, rivers flow not only down mountain slopes but beneath them, across them, and through them. Nearly four dozen canals, tunnels, and ditches in the state move water out of natural drainages and into neighboring basins. Some snake across high […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, August 1: Energy Department Report Endorses U.S. Hydropower Growth

August 1, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Energy Department identifies a path for more U.S. hydropower. The White House issues a cyberattack response plan. The EPA issues water quality recommendations to protect fish from copper and selenium, while the EPA’s internal watchdog delays an investigation into the Gold King mine spill. Federal agencies make “little progress” on a national […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, July 25: Enbridge Agrees to $177 Million Settlement for Michigan Oil Spill

July 25, 2016/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Justice Department reaches deal over largest inland oil spill in U.S. history. EPA environmental justice council studies water affordability. The country experienced eight billion-dollar disasters in the first half of 2016. EPA approves new methods to test drinking water for contaminants while noting that many states are now doing more than federal rules […]

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton

circleofblue.org/author/brett

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About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton