Archive for the Policy & Politics Category
EPA Sued Over Chesapeake Bay Clean-Up Enforcement
Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and D.C. have jointly filed a lawsuit against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to protect the Chesapeake Bay and other local waterways. The jurisdictions say that the EPA has failed to hold up the terms of a multi-state agreement to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Primarily, these jurisdictions say that New York and Pennsylvania have failed to uphold their end of the bargain, and that the EPA has failed to follow-up with enforcement. The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure,” said Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh. “Restoring the health of the Bay […]
Stakeholder Input Request for EPA’s National Water Reuse Plan
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently held a meeting to identify challenges and map out solutions that will continue to advance the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP). With the plan being rolled out earlier this year, this meeting helped lay the groundwork for continued efforts towards ensuring the security, sustainability, and resilience of the nation’s water resources. With 37 specific actions led by an array of federal, state, local, and other water sector interests, the collaborative interaction has been vital to the plan’s success. “Water reuse must be a central theme in EPA’s efforts to meet 21st century […]
Water Cutbacks for Arizona and Nevada Under New Deal
Under a set of agreements intended to help boost the water level of Lake Mead, which now stands at just 40% capacity, Arizona and Nevada will receive less water from the Colorado River starting next year. The Federal Bureau of Reclamation released projections on Friday showing that Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, will be at levels next year that continue to trigger moderate cutbacks in both states. Those reductions could eventually increase in the next few years if Lake Mead drops further. The estimates show the reservoir near Las Vegas will likely begin 2021 about 10 feet above a […]
Water Resources Development Act of 2020 Approved
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 (H.R. 7575)[1], authorizing at least $8.6 billion in federal funds for 38 new Army Corps of Engineers construction projects. WRDA 2020 provides policy direction to the Army Corps of Engineers for its civil works missions. This includes flood and storm protection, river and port navigation, environmental restoration improvements, and other water resources infrastructure according to Engineering News-Record (ENR). The total cost of the projects is estimated at more than $13 billion. The 2020 WRDA was passed by the House on Jul. 29, so WRDA will […]
National Water Sustainability Act Introduced to U.S. Senate
Earlier this month, Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) introduced the Water for Tomorrow Act, legislation that ensures the country’s water supply can be maintained safely and sustainably for the future. The threat of climate change continues to intensify water scarcity and extreme weather conditions, especially in the West Coast and Mid-West states in the U.S. By combining the water sustainability measures from the Water Justice Act and key measures from the FUTURE Drought Resiliency Act, the Water for Tomorrow Act serves as the most progressive legislation introduced regarding water resiliency and sustainability. “Every American has the right to clean water,” said […]