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, August 7: Agencies to Assess Value of Nature

August 7, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Biden administration proposes guidelines for valuing ecosystems in cost-benefit analyses. The administration also releases key themes for the upcoming National Nature Assessment. A federal advisory council adopts a policy on preserving historic sites vulnerable to a changing climate. The Justice Department proposes standards for web content accessibility that would affect municipal utilities. […]

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 31: Army Corps Dredges Upper Mississippi as River Levels Drop

July 31, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Army Corps dredges river channels as drought again depletes the Mississippi River. Senate committee passes budget bills that maintain water infrastructure spending levels. Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast worsens. Army Corps says it needs $3 billion more to complete levee system west of New Orleans and it lowers the risk rating for […]

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, July 26, 2023: In Drought-Stricken Spain, Farmers Restore Ancient Irrigation Canals

July 26, 2023/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

Thousand year-old irrigation systems are being excavated and restored in Spain amid extreme heat and water insecurity crises.

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

Fresh, July 25, 2023: Chicago Mayor Outlines ‘Green New Deal’ with Environmental Justice Focus

July 25, 2023/in Fresh/by Brett Walton

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition team includes an environmental justice subcommittee, whose recommendations focus on racial equity and curbing pollution.

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 24: House Republicans Pass Big Cuts for Water Infrastructure Loan Fund

July 24, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown House Republican budget would cut main water infrastructure loan funds by more than half and further handcuff them via earmarks. House Republican budget also promises substantial cuts to the EPA. CDC summarizes state data on illnesses from harmful algal blooms. EPA hosts a webinar on wildfire effects on drinking water sources. 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

Workers Needed to Fulfill America’s Infrastructure Goals

July 20, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Labor shortage could be a bottleneck as the country rebuilds.

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 17: Legislation Seeks to Encourage Novel Groundwater Conservation Tool

July 17, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Bipartisan Senate bill would promote groundwater conservation easements. Federal appeals court pauses EPA cybersecurity rule for water agencies. A national forest in Arizona approves repair of a water-supply pipeline that was damaged in floods last year after a wildfire. The EPA assesses cancer risks from the industrial solvent 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. CDC […]

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

Will Michigan’s Largest Water Provider Target Tiny City For Next Shutoffs?

June 29, 2023/in Great Lakes/by Brett Walton

Brett WaltonBrett 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 […]

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, June 12: NOAA Expects Below-Average Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone This Summer

June 12, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown NOAA foresees a smaller low-oxygen dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The Army Corps launches a five-year study to inform the management of the lower Mississippi River. The Army Corps also reevaluates water infrastructure needs for Everglades restoration and revokes a water quality permit for a proposed copper-nickel mine in Minnesota. 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

Say Goodbye to Lawns in Drying U.S. West

June 7, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Booming metro areas test the limits of water supply and growth.

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, June 5: Debt Limit Deal Changes Environmental Permitting

June 5, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The debt limit standoff opened the door to changes in project permits. The Bureau of Reclamation has up to $40 million for projects to reduce salt in the Colorado River. There is little change in the latest Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast. Federal wildfire forecast shows significant fire potential this summer 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, May 30: Supreme Court Narrows Wetlands Protections

May 30, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The U.S. Supreme Court limits federal wetlands protections. After a last-minute deal, the Bureau of Reclamation suspends environmental review of its Colorado River plan to analyze the new proposal. Comment deadline approaches for changes in White House guidelines for analyzing costs and benefits of federal regulations. A West Virginia county will benefit from […]

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