NMSA News
NMSA was recently notified by the American Society of Civil Engineers that the 2021 ASCE Infrastructure Report Card will have a section dedicated exclusively to stormwater infrastructure. This completes one of NMSAs early objectives. A dedicated stormwater section on the Report Card will greatly improve public awareness of stormwater and sector needs. We would like to thank ASCE staff for their help and support in achieving this important milestone. Watch this space for future updates.
New NMSA Address
A reminder that NMSA has changed its physical address. Our world headquarters are now located at 1727 King Street, Suite 300, Alexandria Virginia, 22314. This physical office space replaces our former virtual office space on West St. in Alexandria.
State, National and International News
Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act
H.R. 763 is a market-based energy policy solution. The goal of the legislation is to give industry and investors a clear, predictable investment horizon by which to make prudent business decisions without changing government regulations, subsidies, etc. The guiding principle is to internalize all costs on all forms of energy, and then let the markets create the most efficient outcome. Reduced energy use results in reduced air emissions and consequently improved runoff water quality. The legislation:
- puts a price on pollution
- provides a monthly dividend to all Americans
Click Here for more information.
Factoid: Approximately 20% of all households are served by septic systems and their alternatives. Roughly half of these systems are more than 30 years old.
Interpretive Statement on Application of the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program to Releases of Pollutants from a Point Source to Groundwater
EPA recently released its interpretation of the Clean Water Act for to discharges of pollutants to groundwater that eventually lead to surface water. The EPA has clarified that the Clean Water Act only applies to lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water on the surface, not groundwater, even if pollution is discharged into groundwater and then subsequently migrates to a surface water. Click Here to view the EPA notice.
A survey of about 400 former EPA employees identifies climate change as the most important near-term issue facing the agency, and the responses suggest EPA address climate change by shifting from its traditional regulatory approach to a role convening states, industry and others.
EPA Announces Campus RainWorks Challenge Winners
EPA announces the winners of the seventh annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a national competition that engages the next generation of environmental professionals to design solutions for stormwater pollution using green infrastructure. You can check out the winning entries here.
EPA Finalizes Modification to 2017 Construction General Permit
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a modification to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 2017 Construction General Permit (CGP), which covers eligible stormwater discharges from construction activities in areas where the EPA is the permitting authority. The final modified permit will take effect on June 27, 2019. Documents:
- Federal Register Notice for the final modification
- Excerpt of changes
- Final modified permit
- Fact sheet
EPA Issues Guidance on Clean Water Act Water Quality Certification
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released guidance on Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) that provides recommendations to clarify and streamline the 401 certification process. Click Here for more information.
A New Rule will be Incorporated into Tennessee State Law for Post Construction Stormwater Requirements
There are proposed provisions in a new rule that reflect the terms of a settlement agreement agreed upon in October 2018 with the Homebuilders Association of Tennessee and several non-governmental organizations to resolve the appeal of the 2016 Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) general permit. The new language will be incorporated into Rule and into Tennessee State Law. Comments on the new rule will be accepted through close of business on July 25, 2019 and a Public Hearing is scheduled for July 15th. Click Here for more information on the Public Hearing and Amended Rule. Click Here for more information on the permit, the appeals and the settlement agreement.
Grant and Loan Opportunities
EPA Administrator Wheeler Announces New WIFIA Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the availability of funding to provide an estimated $6 billion in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans in 2019. Click here to read entire article.
Have an Estuary?
The EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a source of funding for water quality improvement projects that implement Clean Water Act Section 320 National Estuary Program (NEP) Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans (CCMP). Click here for more information.
EPA Awards $3.9 Million to Research PFAS Challenges, Reducing Health Impacts
EPA is awarding approximately $3.9 million through two grants for research that improves understanding of human and ecological exposure to per– and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment. This research is expected to help provide additional information about PFAS to federal, state, tribal, and local officials, as they work together to address these chemicals and protect public health. The research will also promote a greater awareness of how to restore water quality in PFAS-impacted communities. Click here for more information.
California Acts to Prohibit Chlorpyrifos Pesticide
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) announced that the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is acting to ban the use of the pesticide and toxic air contaminant chlorpyrifos in California by initiating cancellation of the pesticide. Approximately 2 years will be required to complete the process which will include public hearings. Chlorpyrifos has been found consistently in California surface waters at toxic levels, though most consumer uses have been eliminated, leaving the primary use as agriculture. For More information, Click here.
P3GreatLakes Seeks Statement of Interest from Municipalities to Pilot Innovative Delivery and Financing Approaches for Green Stormwater Infrastructure
P3GreatLakes is seeking a statement of interest from municipalities in the Great Lakes states that are interested in using innovative delivery and/or financing frameworks to solve infrastructure challenges. Please click here to review the Request for Statement of Interest (RSI) that is designed to select two municipalities from the Great Lakes basin states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York). Deadline for application is July 12.
EPA Announces $14 Million to Reduce Excess Nutrients and Stormwater Pollution in the Great Lakes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will accept applications for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grants until July 12. For more information, click here.
EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Solicitation is Now Open!
EPA is calling for small businesses to apply for Phase I awards up to $100,000 to demonstrate proof of concept in the following topic areas: clean and safe water, air quality, land, homeland security, sustainable materials management and safer chemicals. Click here for the full solicitation posted on FedConnect to learn more about these topic areas, view specific subtopics for each area, and access instructions on how to apply.
Tools, Reports and Legal
Envisioning Stormwater as a Beneficial Resource
Recent Water Research Foundation efforts are helping subscribers to view stormwater as a beneficial resource that can be part of an integrated approach to water management. For more information click here.
Developing a New Framework for Household Affordability and Financial Capability Assessment in the Water Sector
WEF, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) provided the report entitled Developing a New Framework for Household Affordability and Financial Capability Assessment in the Water Sector to EPA. The report proposes a new framework for assessing household and community affordability when federal and state regulators and local agencies are negotiating new infrastructure investments related to regulatory compliance.
EPA Releases New Resource to Help States and Tribes Improve Water Quality Standard Public Hearings
EPA released a new resource to help states and tribes maximize participation, simplify implementation, and reduce costs associated with the public hearings they host for adopting new or revising existing water quality standards. Click here for more information
Webinars/Training
The Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership Announces 2019 Webinar Series
The Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership (a NMSA Member) has announced a 2019 webinar series on stormwater topics. CEUs and PDHs are available, and may be viewed live or in recorded format. Click here for more information and for the list of webinars and to sign up.
Upcoming WASP Modeling Workshop
Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP 8.32) Water Quality Modeling Workshop July 15 – 19, 2019. See: www.epawasp.com
Spruce up! Using Green Roofs and Green Spaces to Beat the Heat
Join this 90-minute webinar Thursday July 11, 2019 from 02:00 – 03:30 p.m. Eastern to learn how green roofs and other green spaces are being used to address urban heat across the country. The webinar will highlight the variety of benefits that such practices can bring, such as how green roofs improve air quality and public health in Kansas City. The event will also feature a national green roof expert and delve into Denver’s recent green building ordinance. Click here for more information.
Conferences
2019 EPA Region 6 Stormwater Conference
The EPA Region 6, in partnership with the City of Denton, the North Texas Central Texas Council of Governments, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), and States in Region 6, would like to invite all water professionals to participate in the 21st Annual EPA Region 6 Stormwater Conference to be held in Denton, Texas on July 28-August 1, 2019. Click here for more information and for registration.
StormCon 2019
To be held in Atlanta August 18–22, 2019
Visit the website for more information.
ASCE EWRI Operation and Maintenance of Stormwater Control Measures Conference
To be held in Minneapolis, MN August 4-7, 2019
Visit the website for more information.
34th Annual WateReuse Symposium
Mark your calendar for the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Diego, California on September 8-11, 2019. Click here for more information.
WEFTEC 2019 and NMSA Annual Meeting
WEFTEC will be held in Chicago this year from September 21st to the 27th. Register prior to July 12 for the best rate. The NMSA annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 25, from 8 a.m. to noon. More information to follow. Register for WEFTEC at weftec.org.
ORBCRE – ORBA Symposium at Ohio University
Ohio River Basin Consortium for Research and Education Ohio River Basin Alliance will host a symposium at Ohio University on October 2-4, 2019. This year’s theme, “Managing our Water in a Changing World: from Social, Environmental, and Policy Perspectives,” promotes research, education, and discussion related to environmental concerns in the Ohio River Basin. Register online.
South East Storm Water Association (SESWA) 14th Annual Regional Stormwater Conference
To be held at the Chattanooga Marriott Downtown in Chattanooga, Tennessee on October 9-11, 2019
Visit the website for more information.
Storm Water Solutions (SWS) 2019 Conference & Exhibition
Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners presents the SWS Conference and Exhibition. Nov. 12–14, 2019 Tinley Park Convention Center, Chicago. Questions: Contact Harry Stark at stormexpo17@gmail.com
Tennessee Stormwater Association Conference
To be held November 19-21, 2019 at Montgomery Bell State Park, Burns, TN
Visit the website for more information.
2019 Maine Stormwater Conference
December 2-3, 2019 | Holiday Inn by the Bay | Portland, ME
Stormwater pollution is the greatest threat to Maine’s rivers, streams, lakes, and bays. The 2019 conference will have a focus on resiliency that helps municipalities and other groups prepare for changing conditions while maintaining their clean water goals. Visit the website for more information.
Jobs
Green Infrastructure Research Engineer, Drexel University. See: swre.cae.drexel.edu
