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, February 6: EPA Vetoes Pebble Mine in Alaska

February 6, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA prohibits mining the Pebble deposit in the headwaters of Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed. The EPA finalizes guidance for balancing sewage system improvements with financial burdens to residential water bills. Republicans take aim at the Biden administration’s definition of the scope of the Clean Water Act. The GAO recommends the TVA develop […]

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 30: Valuing Nature: White House Publishes Natural Capital Accounting Strategy

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

The Rundown The White House publishes a strategy for incorporating natural assets into economic accounts. A climate scientist is appointed to a White House intelligence advisory board. EPA watchdog says the agency should better track municipal efforts to control sewer overflows. Federal officials will hold a public session this week to gather input on 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

Road Salt, A Stealthy Pollutant, Is Damaging Michigan Waters

January 26, 2023/in Great Lakes, Water News/by Brett Walton

Rivers and lakes are becoming saltier while law and practice limit effective responses.

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 23: EPA Lists New Enforcement Priorities

January 23, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA proposes elevating PFAS and greenhouse gas emissions as enforcement priorities for the next four years. NOAA proposes a National Marine Sanctuary in eastern Lake Ontario. EPA researchers want a better understanding of the economic benefits of improved water quality. A USDA agency will assess the environmental impacts of responding to an […]

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 Government Advances Big Water Projects

January 17, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Congress focuses on flood protection and disaster recovery.

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 16: EPA Warns of Water-Treatment Chemical Shortage After Illinois Factory Fire

January 16, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown A factory fire in Illinois could disrupt the national supply chain for water-treatment chemicals, the EPA says. The EPA announces $100 million in environmental justice grants. A report in a CDC journal describes the ongoing cholera outbreak in Haiti. The EPA tentatively rules that discarded PVC is not a hazardous waste. And lastly, […]

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

New Mexico Town, Still Reeling from Historic Fire, Receives Federal Aid to Repair Drinking Water System

January 12, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

The town of Las Vegas is eligible for up to $140 million for drinking water treatment facilities.

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 Planet Warms, Water Risks Abound

January 11, 2023/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Ahead of a high-profile UN conference, political forecasters issue water warnings.

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 9: EPA Delays PFAS Drinking Water Rules

January 9, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The EPA expects draft rules for two PFAS in drinking water to be published in March. President Biden signs three bills related to tribal water rights in Arizona. The Census Bureau identifies the number of U.S. residents displaced last year by weather disasters. An EPA draft report outlines the damage that federal biofuels […]

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 2: USGS Finds Steep Groundwater Declines in Rural Nevada

January 2, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The U.S. Geological Survey finds declining groundwater levels in agricultural valleys in Nevada. The EPA finalizes a new definition of the scope of the Clean Water Act. New data shows the number of households receiving federal water bill assistance rose last summer. The EPA misses its self-imposed, end-of-year deadline for issuing draft drinking […]

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 26: Water Spending Woven into Budget Deal

December 26, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Congress passes a $1.7 trillion budget deal. The Army Corps finalizes a plan for a river diversion to rebuild land on the Louisiana coast. The Army Corps also releases a draft review of a massive water-diversion tunnel through California’s contentious delta region. Congress sends several water-related bills to the president. And lastly, 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, December 19: States Slow to Distribute Disaster Aid Funds for Housing

December 19, 2022/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown A GAO report finds that states are slow to distribute federal funds after hurricanes and wildfires that occurred as much as five years ago. NOAA recommends $105 million in funding for dam and culvert removal and other projects to aid fish migration. NOAA also releases updated data on marine and Great Lakes ecosystem […]

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