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 24: Lake Mead Rises While California’s Central Valley Sinks

August 24, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Wet spring boosts Lake Mead above shortage levels. Groundwater pumping causes parts of the Central Valley to sink. Scientists find low levels of insecticides in streams. An investigation of the EPA’s mining spill in Colorado begins while the EPA mulls new industrial water pollution standards. The White House issues a summary of 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

California Drought and Strengthening El Nino Accelerate Statewide Water Transition

August 21, 2015/in California, California Drought, North America, Water News/by Brett Walton

New infrastructure, laws, and practices help the state respond to hydrologic extremes, but more are needed. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue California’s canal system moves water hundreds of miles from the Sierra Nevada foothills to Los Angeles and San Diego. Adapting to 21st century water conditions requires less reliance on energy-hungry […]

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 Drought Policy Need Not Wait for Congress

August 19, 2015/in California, California Drought, Drought, North America, Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Natural resources agencies have the authority to change practices on their own, conservation groups argue.

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 17: Animas River Mining Spill Prompts Legislative Proposal

August 17, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown A New Mexico senator wants to institute royalties for hardrock mining. President Obama signs algae legislation. Clean Power Plan will deliver water benefits. Nuclear regulators release Yucca Mountain groundwater report. The EPA considers easing the path for Indian tribes to administer Clean Water Act standards. National Science Foundation gives out water-energy-food research grants. […]

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

EPA Clean Power Plan Delivers Significant Benefits for Water

August 14, 2015/in North America, Water & Energy, Water News/by Brett Walton

Cutting carbon emissions from power plants will lead to reductions in water use, water withdrawals, and mercury pollution in rivers and lakes. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue A wind farm rises in the Illinois plains, west of Chicago. Wind power uses no water to generate electricity. Click image to enlarge. By […]

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

On the Value of Water and the Pain of Drought in the American West

August 10, 2015/in California/by Brett Walton

Circle of Blue reporter Brett Walton says that drought is forcing the public to confront important questions about the value of water. Photo © Brett Walton / Circle of Blue Drift boats carry fly fishermen down the Madison River, in southwestern Montana. Click image to enlarge. ENNIS, Montana — As roads go, the shoulder of […]

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 10: EPA Inspectors Trigger Toxic Release from Colorado Mine

August 10, 2015/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA triggers a mining waste accident. The Gulf of Mexico dead zone is larger than expected. Oil and gas waste, even treated, raises concerns for an endangered mussel in Pennsylvania. Water infrastructure funds need better management. The Senate joins the House in passing an algae bill. EPA finds fault with environmental review for […]

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

EPA Clean Water Rule Meets Political Pushback

August 6, 2015/in Great Lakes, North America, Pollution, Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Unlike previous eras, Congress has avoided adjusting the law to manage new conditions.

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 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

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About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton