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, December 26: Water Spending Woven into Budget Deal

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

The Rundown Congress passes a $1.7 trillion budget deal. The Army Corps finalizes a plan for a river diversion to rebuild land on the Louisiana coast. The Army Corps also releases a draft review of a massive water-diversion tunnel through California’s contentious delta region. Congress sends several water-related bills to the president. And lastly, 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, December 19: States Slow to Distribute Disaster Aid Funds for Housing

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

The Rundown A GAO report finds that states are slow to distribute federal funds after hurricanes and wildfires that occurred as much as five years ago. NOAA recommends $105 million in funding for dam and culvert removal and other projects to aid fish migration. NOAA also releases updated data on marine and Great Lakes ecosystem […]

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

The Year in Water, 2022

December 13, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Sharpening the Shark’s Teeth

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, December 12: Lawmakers Finalize Water Resources Development Bill

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

The Rundown Lawmakers reach a deal on the next Water Resources Development Act. The CDC releases new guidance for investigating cancer clusters linked to environmental hazards. The EPA issues new guidance for reducing PFAS discharges in wastewater. A bill in the House would limit attorney fees for Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits. The Army Corps […]

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, December 5: For Tribes, White House Promises Climate Relocation Funding, Water Pollution Standards

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

The Rundown At a White House summit, the Biden administration pledges financial and regulatory support for tribal nations. The EPA proposes increasing the amount of biofuels in the nation’s energy supply through 2025. The Justice Department proposes an independent operator for the Jackson, Mississippi, water system. The Interior Department allocates $250 million for Salton Sea […]

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

The Stream, November 30, 2022: Activists in France Clash with Armed Guards at Proposed Reservoir Sites

November 30, 2022/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

Planned reservoirs in France’s farming regions are the site of protests and military protection.

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, November 28: EPA Determines Pennsylvania Will Not Meet Chesapeake Bay Pollution-Reduction Goal

November 28, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Because Pennsylvania will miss a 2025 deadline for Chesapeake Bay improvements, the EPA will continue stricter oversight of the state’s polluters. The DHHS office that oversees water and energy bill assistance will collect demographic data on grant recipients. Federal agencies release a draft environmental review of Tijuana River sewage projects. The Biden administration […]

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

The Stream, November 23, 2022: Behind the Scenes at Qatar’s World Cup, Vast Water-Making Apparatus Must Keep Country Hydrated

November 23, 2022/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN The 2022 World Cup kicked off in Qatar amid concerns of water shortages and the environmental impact of large-scale desalination. On the final day of COP27, nations agreed to establish a “loss and damage fund” for countries most vulnerable to climate change. Another worker died in Indonesia during construction of a dam […]

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, November 21: Klamath Dam Removal Approved by Energy Regulator

November 21, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The nation’s largest dam removal clears a major hurdle by gaining federal approval. Senate committees advance tribal water rights legislation and water-related bills. The EPA Office of the Inspector General begins three audits: Jackson’s drinking water troubles, lead drinking water pipes, and compliance with public notification laws for lead in drinking water. 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

The Stream, November 16, 2022: UN Climate Summit Hosts First ‘Water Day’ at COP27

November 16, 2022/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

At the UN climate summit, world leaders hear the importance of water in climate response.

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, November 14: Lake Erie Pollution Limit Would Be Required by Proposed Consent Decree

November 14, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA proposes a Lake Erie pollution settlement. The EPA also announces funding for children’s health research in rural farm communities. President Biden reveals climate adaptation funds at UN summit. FEMA outlines the claims process for damages from New Mexico’s largest wildfire. And lastly, NOAA hosts a webinar on Mississippi River drought 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

New Satellite Will See Water’s Big Picture

November 14, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

SWOT mission aims to fill global gaps in key water data.

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