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, August 3: Army Corps Questions EPA Water Rule

August 3, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Internal memos reveal dissent within Army Corps over the Clean Water Act rule. California senators introduce a drought bill. Texas natural gas looks for escape routes. Another oil pipeline might cross the Canada-U.S. border. Groundwater levels in the Klamath River Basin are declining. The Bureau of Reclamation submits its analysis of raising the […]

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

Texas Fund Turns Oil Dollars into Water Investments

July 29, 2015/in Groundwater, Infrastructure, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

Houston is the big winner in first round of state financing for new water infrastructure fund.

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

California Indian Tribe Pursues Rights to Groundwater

July 28, 2015/in California, California Drought, Groundwater, North America, Water Law, Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

A court test of federal water law by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has implications for the American West. Photo © Brent Stirton/Reportage by Getty Images for Circle of Blue A groundwater recharge facility for the Coachella Valley adds water imported from the Colorado River to the valley’s main aquifer and prevents the […]

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 27: House Passes Coal Ash Bill Despite White House Veto Threat

July 27, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Coal ash debate arrives in Congress. Farmers are using more groundwater in Oregon’s Klamath River Basin while Congress considers ratifying a historic agreement in the basin. Hurricane Sandy was a once-in-500-year event for some tidal monitoring stations. Pollution problems plague California groundwater. “All of our regulations are tailored specifically to our coal types, […]

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

Why Asking ‘How Much Rain Will End the Drought?’ Is the Wrong Question

July 21, 2015/in California, California Drought, Groundwater/by Brett Walton

People need to be in the equation too, says Circle of Blue report Brett Walton.

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 20: Bipartisan Watershed Protection Bill Introduced in Congress

July 20, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Two western senators offer a bill to secure forested watersheds. The House approves a California drought bill and gets a prompt veto threat from the White House. The world’s glaciers continued to melt last year, while the U.S. government is banking on Nepal’s hydropower sector. Los Angeles takes another step toward reviving its […]

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

Concerns over Bottled Water and NAFTA Swirl during British Columbia Drought

July 17, 2015/in Groundwater, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

Citizen petition calls for higher fees on Nestle and other bottled water companies while authorities worry about trade agreement implications.

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

DC Water Increases Rates to Pay for New Infrastructure

July 16, 2015/in North America, Water News, Water Pricing/by Brett Walton

Residents of the nation’s capital will pay a new fixed fee for replacing old pipes.

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 13: Lake Erie Algae Bloom Could Be Second Worst on Record

July 13, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown NOAA scientists update their algae forecast for Lake Erie. California representatives introduce more water legislation while a massive engineering project spawns another environmental review and state regulators approve a reservoir plan to save salmon. NASA studies carbon storage in wetlands. The Obama administration reports on climate actions. Several EPA advisory committees will meet. […]

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

Fear and Hoping in Seattle

July 10, 2015/in Water News/by Brett Walton

All is woe in the water world — or is it? Circle of Blue reporter Brett Walton reflects on an extraordinary summer.

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 6: U.S. Supreme Court to Take Up Water Case in Fall Session

July 6, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Memphis and Mississippi will take their aquifer dispute to the nation’s highest court. California drought legislation will move quickly through the House. Water use per well for fracking skyrockets. States sue over the EPA’s Clean Water Act definition. State and federal gencies outline an Asian carp strategy. “As House Majority Leader and your […]

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

Study: Fracking Water Use Varies in U.S. Oil and Gas Development

July 3, 2015/in North America, Water & Energy, Water News/by Brett Walton

Shale gas basins in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Appalachian region use the most water per well.

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