NWC FEDERAL SPOTLIGHT (July 10, 2023)

Good evening NWC members,

Congress returns this week after a two-week recess. They have a lot to finish before they go on their August recess and a limited number of legislative days to finish it. Read about this and more in our Congressional Spotlight section.

On the agency side, “waters of the U.S.” has moved front and center again with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announcement that they will be redrafting the definition in light of last month’s Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. Look for an “updated” definition by September from the agencies. Just a heads up though, we are hearing that this new definition may not go through a public comment period which will likely be challenged in the courts. Learn more in our Federal Agency Spotlight.

Under the NWC Spotlight, just a quick reminder that registration for NWC’s Annual Meeting in Sacramento on October 2-4, 2023, is open. A draft agenda is available.

Additionally, please note that NWC also has an intern this summer, Nicole Kach, who wants to learn more about the issues that NWC members care about. Nicole is with us until early August and, if you have time, please consider reaching out to her at NWCintern@waterways.org. She wants to learn more about what we do and how our members got into their respective fields.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Best, Julie

CONGRESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

OVERVIEW: Both the House and Senate return this week for a frenzied legislative session this month. The Senate has 13 legislative day and the House 12 legislative days before leaving for their August recess. Once the chambers return in September, the Senate has 17 legislative days to the House’s 12 legislative days before the end of the FY2023 on Sept. 30.  FY2024 for federal government agencies starts on Oct. 1. But this process is expected to be rocky detailed further under FY2024 appropriations moving forward Both chambers are scheduled to be in session Oct.—December, although in total, we are looking at 44 legislative days in the Senate and 28 legislative days in the House. This doesn’t give them a lot of time to focus on chamber priorities. In a letter to members, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) laid out his priorities for the rest of the year which includes digging into AI-related issues, advancing appropriations bills, moving forward the National Defense Authorization Act, addressing the cost of prescription drugs, permitting report and more.

Key dates to watch:

  • September 30, 2023
    • FY2023 funding for federal agencies ends (FY 2024 starts on Oct. 1)
    • Reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (provisions rode on FY2023 funding)
    • Five-year Farm Bill authorization up
  • December 31, 2023
    • Target to pass National Defense Authorization Act

DEBT CEILING ADDRESSED…FOR TIME BEING. Last month, Congress and the administration came to an agreement on the debt ceiling and future spending cuts. The debt limit deal negotiated by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s team and the Biden White House set spending caps at 2023 levels and an automatic 1 percent cut across the board if bills aren’t passed and enacted by Jan. 1, 2024, which is an incentive for Congress to pass bills by the end of the year, rather than doing a continuing resolution into the following year. Furthermore, the agreement imposes spending caps, including keeping funding for non-defense agencies relatively the same as their fiscal 2023 levels through fiscal 2024, and then raises those limits by 1 percent in fiscal 2025. However, this agreement was not supported by all of McCarthy’s caucus, Freedom Caucus members held up several votes in the House until McCarthy promised further cuts in appropriations beyond what is committed in the debt ceiling bill.

FY2024 APPROPRIATIONS MOVING FORWARD. After the debt ceiling bill passed, House appropriations chair Kay Granger (R-Texas) announced that the committee will use FY2022 for its topline numbers, a cut of more than $100 billion from the debt ceiling agreement, to be consistent with McCarthy’s promise to the Freedom Caucus. In a press release, Granger said the Republican’s viewed the debt ceiling agreement as a ceiling, not a floor. Immediately, the White House and Democrats cried foul, arguing that the Republicans didn’t negotiate the debt ceiling bill in good faith. However, these cuts are unlikely to take in the Senate. So, there is a larger question on whether the House-Senate FY 2024 numbers will potentially lead to a government shutdown this fall. Before leaving for recess, Senate appropriators announced their FY2024 discretionary spending allocations for their 12 appropriations bills. The amount is based off the debt ceiling bill (Fiscal Responsibility Act) which mostly keeps funding level to FY2023 amounts. In lieu of vetting the bills through subcommittees, the appropriations committee has chosen to move bills directly to the full committee for consideration to streamline the approval process. Up this week in the committee are the FY2024 Commerce, Justice and Science; Financial Services-General Government and Legislative Branch appropriations bills. Prior to the last recess, the committee already approved its Agriculture and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs FY2024 spending bills. The House appropriations committee, on the other hand, has approved six bills to date. These bills are awaiting floor action.

FY 2024 ENERGY AND WATER BILL PASSES THROUGH HOUSE COMMITTEE. On the Energy and Water appropriations side, the House appropriations committee marked up their FY2024 bill on June 23. A huge thanks to NWC intern, Nicole Kach, for helping to write the summary! On June 23, the House Committee on Appropriations met to consider the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Energy, and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The measure funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE/Corps), Department of Energy, and Bureau of Reclamation (Department of the Interior) along with the following independent agencies; Appalachian Regional Commission, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Delta Regional Authority, Denali Commission, Northern Border Regional Commission, Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, Southwest Border Regional Commission, Great Lake Authority, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. The FY2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill provides $57.958 billion in discretionary spending, which is $1.963 billion below the FY24 President’s Budget Request. According to a press release, the committee accepted seven amendments. USACE’s civil works program received $9.57 billion under the bill. This is $1.26 billion above FY 2023 appropriations, and $2.157 billion above the President’s budget request of $7.41 billion for FY24. This includes:$136.08 million for investigations, with five new starts (according to the committee’s report);  $2.889 billion for construction, with $455.97 million recommended for inland waterway projects. The committee also approved a “limited number of additional new starts under the investigation and construction accounts;  $364 million for the Mississippi River and Tributaries;  $5.5 billion for operation and maintenance; $218 million for regulatory programs;  $200 million for the Formerly Utilized Site Remedial Action Program,(FUSRAP); $40 million for flood control and coastal emergencies; $5 million for USACE’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, which is $2.2 million less than FY2023 levels and $2.771 billion for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF). The measure also contained a number of Community Project Funding requests (aka earmarks). USACE’s section of the bill also contains several riders which prevent Biden’s “Waters of the U.S.” rule from moving forward and prohibit the alternation of “eligibility requirements for assistance under USACE’s P.L. 84-99 program. Under the Bureau of Reclamation’s section of the bill, Reclamation would receive $1.693 billion for FY2024, which is $93.78 million than FY2023, but $392.35 million higher than the President’s FY24 budget request. The account focuses on the construction, management, development and restoration of water and other natural resources in 17 western states.  The Energy and Water bill was passed by the House Appropriations Committee by a recorded vote of 34 to 24. It has been sent to the House floor for consideration.

HOUSE COMMITTEE EXAMINES FEDERAL REGULATIONS ON RIGHT WHALE (a huge thanks to NWC intern, Nicole Kach, for drafting!): On Tuesday June 6, the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee of Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries held a hearing entitled, “Examining the Impacts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s proposed changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.”   The witnesses discussed proposed changes by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which would expand the right whale’s habitat and set tighter regulations. While the proposed changes are intended to lessen fatalities due to whale strikes, some of the witnesses raised concerns about the economic impacts the new rule would have on the Eastern Seaboard. One witness stated that the proposed rule would impact over 68,000 vessels, contribute to over 340,000 job losses and be an estimated $84 billion in revenue loss for the region. The right whale rule, originally finalized in 2008, set a 10-know speed restriction to most vessels 65 feet or longer (exceptions for federal government, military, and search and rescue). In 2022, NOAA had proposed to apply the rule to all ships 35 feet or greater; expand the right whale habitat and seasons when this ruling would be in full effect. The rule would expand 90 nautical miles off the coast and would be enacted along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida. A subcommittee memo states that NOAA received over 20,000 comments about the proposed rule change, with a finalized rule expected to be announced at the end of 2023. The right whale was put on the endangered species list in 1973. According to NOAA, there are less than 350 individuals remaining, with roughly female 100 reproductive members left of the species.

HEARINGS/MARKUPS OF INTEREST THIS WEEK

FEDERAL AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

ADMINISTRATION

  • WHITE HOUSE RELEASES SEMI-ANNUAL REGULATORY PLAN. On June 13, the White House released its 2023 Spring Unified Regulatory Agenda and regulatory plan which lays out their expected timelines for proposed and final regulations in the next six months or so for all federal agencies. NWC is currently working on a handy chart that gives a high-level overview of all pending federal rules and regulations of interest to our members within the water resources space. Stay tuned!

COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

  • CEQ REQUEST OF INFORMATION FOR AN OCEAN JUSTICE STRATEGY (Comments due by July 24, 2023). The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), on behalf of the Ocean Policy Committee (OPC), request input from all interested parties to inform the development of an Ocean Justice Strategy. The Ocean Justice Strategy will describe the vision, goals, and high-level objectives for coordinating and guiding ocean justice activities across the Federal Government. It may also serve as a reference for Tribal, Territorial, State, and local governments, regional management bodies, and non-governmental groups. Through this Request for Information (RFI), the Ocean Policy Committee seeks public input on what the vision and goals of the Ocean Justice Strategy should be and how the Federal Government can advance just and equitable access to, and management and use of, the ocean, the coasts, and the Great Lakes. Responses are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 24, 2023. Submissions received after the deadline will not be taken into consideration. The agencies request that submissions be limited to 2,500 words and clearly indicate which questions you are addressing. The questions the agencies would like feedback on are as follows: Definitions. What is ocean justice? How do you define ocean justice in the context of your community and your work; Barriers to Ocean Justice. What are the barriers to realizing ocean justice? What key challenges do you face in achieving ocean justice? What ocean justice challenges do you see as central to Federal Government action; Opportunities for Ocean Justice. What elements, activities, and components should the Ocean Justice Strategy include? What injustices related to the ocean should the Federal Government better address? What successful regional or local efforts to remedy past harms or advance ocean justice should be applied nationwide? What examples do you have of instances when the Federal Government made a just decision related to the ocean, and how might that be scaled up or broadened? What does ocean justice in Federal actions and decision-making look like in practice; Research and Knowledge Gaps. What are the research and knowledge gaps that we need to address for the Federal Government to create and advance an effective Ocean Justice Strategy and take equitable and ambitious action; Tools and Practices. How can the Federal Government harness existing environmental justice tools and practices, such as the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), EJ Screen, and EnviroAtlas, to answer questions about justice in ocean policy? What new tools and practices are necessary to advance ocean justice; Partnerships and Collaboration. What ocean justice solutions can or should be led by non-Federal entities? Where and how can the Federal Government partner with Tribal, Territorial, State, and local governments, as well as external stakeholders across regions and sectors, to effectively remedy past harms and advance ocean justice;  and Additional Considerations. What else would you like considered in the development of the Ocean Justice Strategy?

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

  • ADDRESSING PFAS IN THE ENVIRONMENT; COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED 60 DAYS (Comments now due by Aug. 11, 2023). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), “Addressing PFAS in the Environment.” The EPA published the ANPRM in the Federal Register on April 13, 2023, and the public comment period was scheduled to end on June 12, 2023. However, the EPA has received several requests for additional time to develop and submit comments on the ANPRM. In response to the request for additional time, the EPA is extending the comment period for an additional 60 days, through August 11, 2023.
  • ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO REWRITE ITS NEW “WATERS OF THE U.S.” DEFINITION. On June 26, the EPA released a press statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in May on Sackett v. EPA. In the statement, the agency indicated that, “In light of this decision, the agencies are interpreting “waters of the United States” consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett. The agencies are developing a rule to amend the final “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States'” rule, published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2023, consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s May 25, 2023 decision in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. The agencies intend to issue a final rule by September 1, 2023.” Since the Sackett decision, the Corps has temporarily paused all jurisdictional determinations for WOTUS. Read NWC blog posts here and here for further background on WOTUS.
  • EPA RELEASES OVER $50 MILLION TO ASSIST SMALL, UNDERSERVED, AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES IN ACCESSING CLEAN AND SAFE DRINKING WATER. On June 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $50.4 million in annual funding to states and territories for communities most in need of access to clean and safe drinking water. The funding will support projects and activities in underserved, small and disadvantaged communities to access and invest in water infrastructure and comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). According to the EPA, Grant funding can support a broad range of approaches to help communities address drinking water concerns, from household water quality testing to monitoring for unregulated drinking water contaminants. Funds may also support efforts to build the technical, financial, and managerial abilities of a water system’s operations and staff. Infrastructure projects—from transmission, distribution, and storage—that support drinking water quality improvements are also eligible for grant funding. The Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Community grant program, established under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, awards funding to states and territories on a non-competitive basis. EPA awards funding to states based on an allocation formula that includes factors for population below the poverty level, small water systems, and underserved communities. There is a 10% Tribal allotment. For more information, visit the WIIN SUDC Grant website.
  • FINAL GUIDANCE FOR VESSEL SEWAGE NO-DISCHARGE ZONE APPLICATIONS. On June 12, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of the “Guidance for Vessel Sewage No-Discharge Zone Applications (Clean Water Act Section 312(f)).” State officials interested in developing vessel sewage no-discharge zone applications should consult the guidance to understand the information that must be submitted to EPA to meet the regulatory requirements and EPA’s process for evaluating applications. The guidance reflects EPA’s consideration of public comments received in response to the agency’s June 27, 2022 Federal Register publication. The contents of this guidance document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public. This document is intended to provide information to State officials regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
  • NPDES SMALL MS4 URBANIZED AREA CLARIFICATION. On June 12, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published r clarifications to its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Phase II regulations. These clarifications are due to recent changes made by the Census Bureau to discontinue its practice of publishing the location of “urbanized areas.” The clarifications in this final rule replace the term “urbanized area” in the Phase II regulations with the phrase “urban areas with a population of at least 50,000,” which is the Census Bureau’s longstanding definition of the term urbanized areas. According to the Federal Register notice, this change allows NPDES permitting authorities to use 2020 Census and future Census data in a manner that is consistent with existing longstanding regulatory practice.
  • Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) public meeting – On July 12-13, EPA’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee will hold a public meeting on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Please click here to register to attend the meeting either in-person or online. A final agenda and other meeting materials for will be made available on the FRRCC website. Committee members and other attendees will hear updates on a range of topics, including new climate programs and funding through the Inflation Reduction Act, climate adaptation planning, methane reduction strategies, water policy, and reports and recommendations from the FRRCC’s ad hoc workgroups.

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

  • Definition of Unreasonable Refusal To Deal or Negotiate With Respect to Vessel Space Accommodations Provided by an Ocean Common Carrier (Comments due by July 31, 2023). On June 14, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to address a statutory requirement arising from the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 that prohibits ocean common carriers from unreasonably refusing to deal or negotiate with respect to vessel space accommodations and a related prohibition against unreasonably refusing cargo space accommodations. This proposal revises certain aspects of the proposed rule issued on September 21, 2022, by modifying defined terms and discussing the relationship between the United States Code and the elements required to establish violations of those provisions. This NPRM is issued in response to comments to the original proposal and to more directly provide a potential standard for unreasonable conduct by ocean common carriers that prevents shippers from obtaining space aboard vessels for their cargo.

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)

  • NATIONAL DAM SAFETY PROGRAM STATE ASSISTANT GRANT IS OPEN (Applications close on July 21, 2023). FEMA announced that the Fiscal Year 2023 National Dam Safety Program, State Assistance Grants funding opportunity is published in Grants.gov. The application period will close July 21.The $6.25 million available through the State Assistance Grant Program will provide financial assistance to the states and territories to strengthen their dam safety programs. The grant is funded by the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2023. Eligible activities include but are not limited to: dam safety training for state personnel, increase in the number of dam inspections; increase in the submittal and testing of emergency action plans; more timely review and issuance of permits; improved coordination with state emergency preparedness officials; identification of dams to be repaired or removed; and conduct dam safety awareness workshops and creation of dam safety videos and other outreach materials. In a state or territory with an enacted dam safety program, the state administrative agency, or an equivalent state agency, is eligible to apply for the state assistance grant. Each eligible state or territory may submit only one grant application.
  • FEMA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY DISASTER RESILIENCE ZONE ACT OF 2022 (Comments due July 25, 2023).  FEMA has published a notice in the Federal Register seeking input from the public on how to implement this new legislation, designed to build disaster resilience across the nation by creating and designating resilience zones which identify disadvantaged communities most at-risk to natural hazards. This new law amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Recovery and Emergency Act to use FEMA’s National Risk Index to designate community disaster zones. These represent areas with the highest natural hazard risk and a relatively lower ability to withstand the impacts of these risks. This Request for Information will help the agency gain better understanding in key areas that will support an effective implementation of the Community Disaster Resilience Zone Act.  This includes learning how communities identify, use and apply risk assessment tools to reduce natural hazard effects and how to achieve equity and geographic balance when designating zones. Comments can be submitted from 2023-11268 on the Federal eRulemaking Portal, Docket ID: FEMA-2023-0009 or by emailing FEMA-CDRZ-RFI@fema.dhs.gov.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINSTRATION (NOAA)

  • NOAA OPENS GRANT ON CLIMATE RESILIENCE REGIONAL CHALLENGE (Letters of intent are due Aug. 21, 2023). On June 20, NOAA released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge. The Challenge provides approximately $575 million (derived from the Inflation Reduction Act) for resilience building and climate adaptation projects along the nation’s coasts and Great Lakes. The Challenge has two tracks: Track one will support Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development ($25 million), with a focus on laying the groundwork for future resilience efforts; Track two will support Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions ($550 million), with a focus on implementing climate adaptation actions. More information can be found at the NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge website.

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (USACE)

  • USACE WITHDRAWS PROPOSAL TO CREATE COMMITTEE ON LEVEE SAFETY. On June 13, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced they have withdrawn the notice to solicit applications to form the Committee on Levee Safety (published on Jan. 21, 2022). According to the Federal Register notice, due to stakeholder feedback, the approach for the Committee on Levee Safety is being reconsidered. NWC, along with other stakeholder groups, raised concerns about how the Committee was set up, as well as its mission, and the lack of stakeholder involvement in its creation.

U.S. COAST GUARD

  • NATIONAL MERCHANT MARINE PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE; VACANCIES (Applications due Aug. 8, 2023). The U.S. Coast Guard seeks applications to fill two-member vacancies on the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (Committee). This Committee advises the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard on matters relating to personnel in the United States Merchant Marine, including the training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness of mariners. Applications should include a cover letter expressing interest in an appointment to the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee, a resume detailing the applicant’s relevant experience for the position applied for (including the mariner reference number for the credentials held), and a brief biography. Applications should be submitted via email with subject line “Application for NMERPAC” to megan.c.johns@uscg.mil.
  • STATE ENFORCEMENT OF INLAND NAVIGATION, FINAL RULE. The Coast Guard is issuing this final rule to adopt the 2022 interim rule removal of an incorrect statement in the Code of Federal Regulations about field preemption of State or local regulations regarding inland navigation. The incorrect language was added by a 2014 final rule, and the error was subsequently discovered. By adopting the removal of this language, this rule clarifies the ability of the states to regulate inland navigation as they have historically done. This rule does not require States to take any action. This final rule is effective June 12, 2023.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

  • DOT ANNOUNCES $5.575 BILLION IN BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW FUNDING FOR PROJECTS OF REGIONAL OR NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE (Applications due by Aug. 21, 2023). This funding supports three major discretionary grant programs that involve surface transportation projects designed to strengthen supply chains, spur economic development, and improve safety and daily life. Applications for funding are being solicited together under a single opportunity titled the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program.  Available funding includes: $1.8 billion for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program: The Mega program supports large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means and are likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. Eligible projects could include highway, bridge, freight, port, passenger rail, and public transportation projects of national or regional significance.  Per the law, 50 percent of funds are available for projects above $500 million in total cost, and 50 percent are available for projects between $100 million and $500 million in total cost; $3.1 billion for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program: The INFRA program awards competitive grants to multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, accessibility, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas.  Eligible projects will improve safety, generate economic benefits, reduce congestion, enhance resiliency, and hold the greatest promise to eliminate supply chain bottlenecks and improve critical freight movements; and $675 million for the Rural Surface Transportation Grant (Rural) program: The Rural program supports projects that improve and expand our nation’s surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas in order to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic growth and improve quality of life. Eligible projects for Rural grants include highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that help improve freight, safety, and provide or increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the economy of a rural area. 90% of rural funding must be awarded in $25 million or greater amounts. The deadline for applications is 11:59 pm EDT on August 21, 2023, Applicants may find the NOFO, Frequently Asked Questions, and other helpful resources here.

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS)

  • USGS RELEASES STUDY ON REACH OF PFAS CONTAMINATION. According to a study released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on July 5, at least 45 percent of the U.S. drinking water is estimated to have one or more per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in it. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that are used in various industrial and consumer products due to their water-resistant, stain-resistant, and nonstick properties. They have been used in firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, carpeting, food packaging, and many other applications. PFAS contamination has raised concerns due to their persistence in the environment and potential health effects. These chemicals do not readily break down and can accumulate in the human body over time. Regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have started to address the health risks associated with PFAS and are setting guidelines and maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for drinking water systems. This puts pressure on water treatment facilities to effectively remove PFAS from the water supply. PFAS are challenging to remove from water due to their strong chemical bonds and resistance to traditional water treatment methods. This poses a technical challenge for drinking water systems to effectively reduce PFAS levels to comply with regulatory standards and provide clean drinking water to the public.

NWC SPOTLIGHT

 REGISTRATION FOR NWC’S ANNUAL MEETING (OCTOBER 2-4, 2023) IN SACRAMENTO IS OPEN. NWC, get excited to meet face-to-face and dig into the water and waterways resource challenges and opportunities facing the nation at our NWC Annual Meeting in Sacramento, California on October 2-4, 2023. Held at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel (1230 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814), the meeting will be chock-full of information you need now, as well as valuable networking opportunities. Early bird registration rates expire on August 1, 2023. Register here.  A draft agenda is available.  For information about sponsorship opportunities, view our PROSPECTUS or contact Kathleen Turner, NWC’s sponsorship consultant, at NWCsponsorship@waterways.org.  A huge thanks to those of you who already committed!