Entries by Brett Walton

Federal Water Tap, August 22: Reclamation Report Sets Deeper Colorado River Cuts

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 […]

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

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

Federal Water Tap, August 15: House Passes Inflation Reduction Act

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 […]

The Bureau of Reclamation’s $4 Billion Drought Question

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the agency with more than twice its annual budget for drought response.

Federal Water Tap, August 8: $4 Billion for Western Drought in Inflation Reduction Act

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 […]

Arizona and California Farmers, Targets for Colorado River Cuts, Draft Their Conservation Strategy

Nearly 1 million acre-feet of compensated water cuts are being discussed.

Federal Water Tap, August 1: EPA Shows Interest in Fireworks Contamination of Drinking Water Sources

The Rundown The EPA will fund research into drinking water contamination following fireworks shows. U.S. and Canadian governments assess the state of the Great Lakes. The GAO assesses technologies for detecting and treating PFAS chemicals. The Senate passes water infrastructure legislation. The Bureau of Reclamation releases a draft environmental impact statement for the White Mountain […]

A Colorado River Glossary: Jargon Explained

How to tell your DCP from your ICS

Federal Water Tap, July 25: EPA Hints at Future PFAS Standards

The Rundown EPA staff hints at the maximum contaminant level goal for two PFAS chemicals. EPA also expects to change interim health advisories for the same two chemicals, PFOA and PFOS. The Interior Department releases guidance for using infrastructure funds for abandoned coal mine reclamation. The U.S. Geological Survey investigates PFAS chemicals in West Virginia […]

Big Water Pipelines, an Old Pursuit, Still Alluring in Drying West

Diverting Mississippi River is not happening, though.

Federal Water Tap, July 18: White House Considers Impacts of Breaching Snake River Dams

The Rundown The White House releases a pair of reports on Snake River hydropower and fisheries restoration. The Bureau of Reclamation revises the storage capacity of Lake Powell to account for storage loss due to sediment buildup. Federal nuclear regulators intend to issue a license for an interim nuclear waste storage facility in southeastern New […]

Five Things to Know About Drought in the American West

A new climate is re-writing the story of America’s drylands.