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, March 11: Congress Finalizes 2024 Budget for Water, Energy Agencies

March 11, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown President Biden signs budget package for water, environment, and energy agencies that includes earmarks for water projects and an EPA spending cut. Reclamation publishes a final environmental impact statement for a short-term Colorado River conservation plan. IRS clarifies the tax status of lead service line replacements for homeowners. SEC finalizes a rule requiring […]

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, March 4: Permanent Water Bill Assistance Program Proposed in Senate

March 4, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown In a Senate proposal, federal water bill assistance program would shed its temporary status. Reclamation tallies water losses in the lower Colorado River basin. EPA program updates its schedule for releasing chemical toxicity assessments. New EPA office will focus on agriculture and rural affairs. GAO assesses environmental justice implementation for federal infrastructure investment. […]

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, February 26: Natural Disasters Prompt Residents of U.S. Island Territories to Move, Census Finds

February 26, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Severe storms pushed people in U.S. island territories in the Pacific and Caribbean to find new homes. The Biden administration releases more federal funds for water infrastructure. An EPA regional office questions a plan to store coal waste at a shuttered power plant in Georgia. A House bill aims to establish a Mississippi […]

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, February 19: Agriculture Census Reveals Farming Shifts

February 19, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown USDA farm census finds decline in irrigated acreage and increase in cover crops. Interior Department brokers deal in Klamath River basin between farmers and tribes. GAO assesses flood-control infrastructure in a changing climate, and says the Defense Department should be more transparent about cleanup costs for a fuel spill on O’ahu. EPA, meanwhile, […]

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, February 12: Modifying Glen Canyon Dam Operations to Combat Non-native Fish

February 12, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Bureau of Reclamation proposes changes to Glen Canyon Dam operations because of non-native fish. Legislation in Congress would facilitate watershed recovery after forest fires and reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Army Corps launches a new permit review system for faster processing. NOAA foretells El Niño’s demise. DOE pays hydropower operators to improve […]

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, February 5: NSF Selects Water, Climate Innovation Hubs

February 5, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown National Science Foundation invests potentially $1.6 billion in regional innovation hubs to address water, climate, and energy challenges. EPA proposes two new rules to prevent PFAS contamination of water sources. GAO reports cover precision agriculture, cybersecurity, and climate change’s consequences for nuclear sites abroad. EPA financial advisers will hold a public meeting on […]

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, January 29: EPA Proposes Stricter Water Pollution Limits for Large Slaughterhouses

January 29, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA proposal would restrict nutrient pollution from the largest meat and poultry processors. EPA science advisers will not review the agency’s proposed rules for lead in drinking water. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will hold a hearing on breaching Snake River dams. USAID considers a grant program for water, climate, and gender in […]

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, January 22: BLM Develops Large-Scale Solar Plan to Protect Habitats, Expand Renewable Energy

January 22, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal cybersecurity agency publishes a guide for water and wastewater utilities. GAO reports on foreign investment in U.S. farmland. BLM draft review aims to facilitate large-scale solar development in the western states. Senate committee will hold a hearing on the National Flood Insurance Program. EPA begins accepting applications for regional stormwater “centers 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, January 15: EPA Water Leader Will Step Down

January 15, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Radhika Fox, head of the EPA Office of Water, will leave her post at the end of February. Supreme Court rejects a petition to review a federal government veto of a contested Alaska mine. EPA advisory council will meet to discuss changes to federal rules on lead in drinking water. NOAA reviews 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, January 8: EPA River Survey Notes Ecosystem Improvements, Challenges Nationally

January 8, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA river and stream survey indicates slightly healthier waters, but nutrient pollution remains a top challenge, especially in the Corn Belt. EPA approves Louisiana’s request to manage carbon dioxide injection wells in the state. Saltwater in the Mississippi River continues to burden one Louisiana delta town. And lastly, congressional representatives weigh in on […]

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 18: White House Signs Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative

December 18, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA proposes water quality standards to protect aquatic life in the Delaware River, and it proposes stricter water pollution limits for slaughterhouses. FEMA releases a report identifying gaps in the nation’s readiness for disasters. EPA submits two PFAS rules – on drinking water and hazard substances – to the White House for review. […]

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 11: EPA Rejects Florida Water Quality Standards

December 11, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA proposes stronger water quality standards for Florida’s rivers and lakes. Interior Department provides funding for solar panels atop a Gila River Indian Community irrigation canal. EPA tests tap water in the U.S. Virgin Islands due to lead concerns. White House, during a tribal nations summit, promises more federal cooperation with tribes. Property […]

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