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, September 4: EPA Sets Target for Reducing Drinking Water Violations

September 4, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA wants to reduce by one-quarter the number of drinking water systems with health-based violations by 2020. The EPA has not initiated a Columbia River basin restoration program that Congress ordered, the GAO finds. The EPA also has not finished a plan for cleaning up abandoned uranium mines on Navajo Nation lands. […]

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 27: EPA Coal Ash Rule Is Too Weak, D.C. Circuit Court Concludes

August 27, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA must revise sections of its rule guiding coal ash disposal, a federal appeals court says. A Senate hearing investigates response to potential Great Lakes oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac. The Trump administration aims to send more water to Central Valley farmers. The Bureau of Reclamation leases Colorado 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, August 20: Judge Reinstates Clean Water Rule in 26 States

August 20, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown District judges weigh in on Clean Water Rule and Keystone XL pipeline. Bureau of Reclamation forecasts show that a lower Colorado River shortage declaration is likely in 2020. The U.S. government commits $350 million for a water supply project in Mongolia’s capital. The U.S. Supreme Court appoints a new special master to oversee […]

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 13: Trump Wildfire Tweet Inspires Policy

August 13, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Commerce Department tries to facilitate water for firefighting in California, even if it’s not needed. The Army Corps opens a national levee database to the public and attempts to expand state permitting authority for the Clean Water Act. The USGS reports on nutrient flows in the Chesapeake Bay and algal toxins in Florida. […]

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 6: Pipeline Industry Cheers Senate Bill to Limit Clean Water Act Permitting

August 6, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Republican senators introduce a bill to restrict use of state water quality permitting under the Clean Water Act. The White House chooses a science adviser. Congress passes a four-month extension of the National Flood Insurance Program and approves a new Wild and Scenic River designation in Montana. EPA finalizes a $200 million groundwater […]

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

Cape Town’s Water Catastrophe – Photo Essay

August 1, 2018/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Cape Town’s Harrowing Journey to the Brink of Water Catastrophe

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

2017 Was Deadliest Year for Environmental Activists

July 31, 2018/in Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Latin America, the most dangerous region for land and water defenders, takes step toward accountability. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue Hernán Bedoya, a land rights activist in Colombia, was riding home on his horse last December when he was shot 14 times and killed. The community leader was working to protect farmers and forests […]

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, July 30: Bill to Unravel EPA Chemical Toxicity Program Passes House Committee

July 30, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown House Science Committee votes to tear apart EPA’s IRIS program. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revokes an Obama administration policy requiring a net ecosystem benefit from oil, gas, mining, and other such projects. Reclamation criticizes California Water Board’s plan to boost San Joaquin River flows. Retiring House member floats a new infrastructure package […]

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, July 23: EPA Watchdog Criticizes Agency’s ‘Very Collegial’ Flint Response

July 23, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA inspector general blames a cozy relationship between regulators in Flint crisis. EPA finalizes weaker coal waste rules designed to protect groundwater. USDA allocates $267 million for rural water infrastructure. The House sees a bevy of water bills. Army Corps analyzes plan for two northern Colorado dams. USGS ranks California’s oil and gas […]

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

More Evidence of Nitrate Cancer Risk in Drinking Water

July 20, 2018/in Water News, Water Quality/by Brett Walton

Case builds of health damage from a common pollutant.

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

In Flint Water Crisis, EPA’s Friendly Relationship with State Regulators Delayed Use of Legal Authority

July 20, 2018/in Water News, Water Policy & Politics/by Brett Walton

Despite warning signs, federal authorities were slow to act in Flint, the agency’s internal watchdog says.

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, July 16: FEMA Notes Failures In 2017 Hurricane Response

July 16, 2018/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Emergency response agency was not prepared for three major hurricanes. NOAA forecasts a smaller Lake Erie algal bloom than last year. Senate Democrats introduce a bill to provide water infrastructure aid and quicker water quality testing for rural, minority, and tribal communities. The House passes a bill to simplify the process of transferring […]

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