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

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

Colorado River States Face Deeper Water Cuts – With More on the Way

August 16, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Without additional cuts, federal forecast projects Lake Mead to continue its decline in next two years.

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: House Passes Inflation Reduction Act

August 15, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The House version of the historic bill retains $4 billion for western drought response. The EPA negotiates a timeline for mercury standards for rivers and lakes in Idaho. FEMA will soon open the application process for $2.3 billion in infrastructure resilience grants. Federal health agencies release a mapping tool to spotlight the unequal […]

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 Bureau of Reclamation’s $4 Billion Drought Question

August 11, 2022/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the agency with more than twice its annual budget for drought 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, August 8: $4 Billion for Western Drought in Inflation Reduction Act

August 8, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema inserts $4 billion for western drought response in spending bill — money that could pay farmers not to withdraw Colorado River water. EPA and USDA will work with poor, rural communities to identify federal funds for failing wastewater systems. The White House releases a federal strategy for research into […]

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