NMSA News
Seth Brown has been appointed the Executive Director of NMSA. We appreciated Seth’s work to make NMSA a success.
State, National and International News
USEPA Repeals Draft Guidance
David Ross, head of EPA’s Office of Water, issued a policy memorandum in August rescinding any draft or interim guidance documents from the water office that were issued more than two years ago and never finalized in an effort to “increase transparency and regulatory certainty for stakeholders.”
San Francisco Study shows Car Tires Likely Biggest Source of Microplastics
Tire wear is being implicated as a significant source of microplastics in surface waters. Read more.
Stormwater Project in North Dakota
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced that EPA is inviting the Metro Flood Diversion Authority (MFDA) to apply for the third round of Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding for a stormwater management project in Fargo.
EPA and Pesticides
US EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Fate and Effects Division just updated its pesticides Aquatic Life Benchmarks table. From the urban surface water quality perspective, this update includes few changes of interest, including these two minor changes for pesticides on the UP3 urban runoff watch list:
- The category “Copper compounds” was added to clarify the applicability of US EPA copper water quality criteria to all copper-containing pesticides
- Pendimethalin benchmarks were updated based on the updated toxicity data used to support its 2018 Registration Review decision
Mercury and Fish
Mercury Levels in Fish Are on the Rise – Warming oceans are leading to an increase of the harmful neurotoxicant methylmercury in popular seafood, including cod, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and swordfish, according to research led by scientists at Harvard University.
USGS Water Quality Tool
What’s In Your Stream? Get Online to Find Out! – The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) updated an online interactive tool for learning about pesticides, nutrients, and overall stream health in major regions of the U.S.
More on WOTUS
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers recently signed a pre-publication version of the repeal of the 2015 Obama Clean Water Rule defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The Final Rule was published and will be effective 60 days from the date of issuance (December 23, 2019). This is the first step of a two-step process to repeal and ultimately replace the Obama era rule with a narrower definition. WOTUS is important for landowners and project developers as it determines where wetlands, streams, and waterbodies fall under the regulation of the federal government. Click here to read the text of the Final Rule.
Utah DOT Settles Stormwater Lawsuit
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is agreeing to adjust how it monitors storm water runoff from road construction sites and salt storage facilities as part of a lawsuit settlement deal. See more: LEARN ABOUT THE LAWSUIT HERE
PFAS: Coming Soon to a Waterbody Near You
As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) efforts to help communities address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the PFAS Action Plan, the Agency is releasing the Systematic Review Protocol for five PFAS toxicity assessments for a 45-day public comment period.
NPDES Program Stats
Below is some info on the NPDES program growth and reach (Source: 2008 EPA Guide on Stormwater and TMDLs).
More PFAS
New data shows that rainwater in some parts of the US contains high enough levels of potentially toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to possibly affect human health and may, if found. See: Rainwater in parts of US contain high levels of PFAS chemical, says study | Environment | The Guardian
Grant and Loan Opportunities
EPA will have approximately $5.5 billion in WIFIA loans to finance approximately $11 billion in water infrastructure investment with its 2020 appropriation. EPA will publish a notice of funds availability by May 2020.
Tools, Reports and Legal
Update on Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund
This is a potentially pivotal case for the CWA – do you need an NPDES Permit to discharge to groundwater? Read the latest.
How to start a stormwater credit trading program
In September, stormwater-program financing experts from the Water Environment Federation, American Rivers and Corona Environmental Consulting released a new guide that acts as a “road map” toward establishing stormwater credit trading programs. “While establishing and running a credit trading market is not without risk, cost, or complexity, a properly designed stormwater credit trading program can benefit property developers, improve urban water quality, foster community resilience, and better distribute the co-benefits of green infrastructure projects throughout a community,” the guide reads.
Recreational Water Quality Criteria or Swimming Advisories for Microcystins and Cylindrospermopsin
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Draft Technical Support Document: Implementing the 2019 Recommended Recreational Ambient Water Quality Criteria or Swimming Advisories for Microcystins and Cylindrospermopsin, for public comment.
Webinars/Training
The National Stormwater Center is offering Certified Stormwater Inspector (municipal) training in the following locations: LAX, CA on January 27-28, 2020, Bakersfield, CA on January 30-31, 2020, San Jose, CA on February 24-25, 2020
Beneficial Uses and Reuses of Dredged Material: February 21, 2020 12 – 1pm ET. Register until 2/18/2020 here: LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Minnesota Stormwater Seminar Series: “Tree function in stormwater biofilters: The Green in Green Infrastructure” January 16, 2020. Register: Click here to Register
The Straight Scoop on Integrated Planning: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 1:00 – 2:30 PM, EST. Register here
Tinkers Creek Ethics and Engineering and Professional Development Workshop: February 4, 2020, Akron, OH. Register here
Conferences
2020 WateReuse California Annual Conference Hyatt Regency San Francisco, San Francisco, California, March 15 – 17, 2020
The Center for Watershed Protection is hosting its 2020 National Watershed and Stormwater Conference – Climate Resiliency & Regulatory Compliance, April 14-17 in Austin, Texas.
Ohio Stormwater Conference. Sandusky Ohio. Kalahari Resort and Conference Center. May 6 – 8, 2020. Learn more.
Mark Your Calendar for Capitol Hill Visits during Water Week 2020
Make plans to join the Water Environment Federation and NMSA in Washington, DC for Water Week 2020 from April 26 through May 2, 2020.
The P3 Conference. March 2nd – 4th, 2020 | Dallas, Texas. Registration Info
International Low Impact Development Conference, Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Bethesda, Maryland ,July 19-22, 2020. ASCE EWRI
July 2020 Stormwater Quality BMPs Workshops Hawaii Convention Center
The 2020 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress will be held in Henderson, Nevada from May 17 – 21 at the Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa & Casino Hotel. Henderson is just minutes from the Hoover Dam, Lake Las Vegas and more.
