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

In New Mexico, Partners Collaborate to End Siege from Megafires

October 12, 2022/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Initiative in the Rio Grande basin intends to thwart catastrophic wildfires that wreck watersheds.

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, October 10: State Department Releases Global Water Strategy, Names Water Envoy

October 10, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The State Department and USAID identify global water priorities in a new five-year strategy. NOAA Fisheries releases a report on improving salmon and steelhead populations in the interior Columbia River basin. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removes a notorious species from the threatened list. The EPA’s science advisers will meet in November […]

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

Tap Water Failures and Distrust of Government: A Conversation with Manny Teodoro

October 3, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Bad tasting and polluted tap water are not just infrastructure problems.

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, October 3: Supreme Court Hears Key Clean Water Act Case

October 3, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The U.S. Supreme Court begins its October term today with a wetlands lawsuit that could redefine the Clean Water Act. Tribes tell the Bureau of Reclamation to prioritize long-term infrastructure solutions for the $4 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds for western drought response. President Biden signs a temporary funding bill that will […]

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

Perspective | Transforming the Economics and Governance of Water

September 27, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Water-related crises around the world have shown that current systems of governance and economic organization are unsuited for a world altered by global warming.

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, September 26: If Necessary, Interior Will Hold Back More Water in Lake Powell Next Year

September 26, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Interior Department outlines steps it is taking in response to a drying Colorado River basin. The Bureau of Reclamation will hold public ‘listening sessions’ this week on how to use Inflation Reduction Act funds for western drought response. The Army Corps releases a final environmental impact statement for a project to divert […]

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

As Flood Waters Recede in Pakistan, ‘Second Wave’ of Disaster Strikes

September 21, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Aid agencies race to ward off water-related diseases.

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, September 19: Senate Republicans Reveal Their Infrastructure Permitting Bill

September 19, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The infrastructure permitting debate intensifies in the Senate. The CDC will use wastewater testing to track the polio virus in the U.S. A group of House Democrats introduces a resolution to recognize a human right to water. A congressional delegation visits Pakistan to witness the aftermath of record-setting floods. An interagency task report […]

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, September 12: House Democrats Object to Manchin’s Permitting Deal

September 12, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown House Democrats warn their leadership not to undercut NEPA environmental reviews. The EPA’s internal watchdog says it will begin an investigation into Jackson’s water crisis. The Defense Department seeks research projects on climate change, society, and national security. And lastly, the Bureau of Reclamation releases a water-supply study of California’s American River basin. […]

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, September 5: FERC Staff Recommend Removing Klamath River Dams

September 5, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Energy regulatory staff recommend moving ahead with the country’s largest dam removal, on the Klamath River. Federal agencies begin the process to revise the Bears Ears National Monument management plan. A federal health agency completes eight assessments for people exposed to PFAS in drinking water from military bases. And lastly, President Biden issues […]

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: EPA Proposes Regulating Two PFAS Chemicals under Superfund Law

August 29, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA proposal would designate two PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances. A USGS research team summarizes green infrastructure benefits and unintended consequences in the Great Lakes basin. EPA science advisers chime in on PFAS regulatory process for drinking water. The White House wants more information on natural capital accounting. Washington state officials release […]

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: Reclamation Report Sets Deeper Colorado River Cuts

August 22, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Colorado River reservoirs are projected to continue their decline. The Department of Energy publishes a PFAS “roadmap” to outline its response. The EPA proposes rules changes to improve safety at facilities that handle hazardous chemicals. A Supreme Court-appointed special master will hold a conference with Texas and New Mexico representatives in a lawsuit […]

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