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HIGHLIGHTS
On June 30–July 2, the Western Governors’ Association convened in Deer Valley, Utah, where panelists explored ways to better tailor FEMA’s disaster framework to Western hazards like wildfire and drought, highlighting opportunities for proactive mitigation funding and greater regional decision-making authority. A separate panel with Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz addressed the agency’s shift toward shared stewardship, state-based reorganization, and faster forest-plan implementation to strengthen wildfire resilience.
On July 6, EPA published draft guidance and opened a 60-day comment period on managing PFAS contamination in biosolids used for land application. The guidance recommends risk-reduction practices for bulk land appliers and wastewater utilities, pointing to CWSRF and WIFIA funding to help offset compliance costs.
On June 30, EPA submitted regulatory action on its “Waters of the United States” rule to the White House for regulatory review, signaling further changes to the definition published in the Federal Register. The agency said the supplemental rulemaking is meant to align with the Supreme Court’s Sackett decision while incorporating additional stakeholder input.
On July 8, the City of Salem, Oregon filed suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, challenging a mandated deep drawdown of Detroit Reservoir that it argues will spike turbidity and threaten the drinking water supply for 220,000 residents. The complaint alleges the Corps violated NEPA, the Clean Water Act, and WRDA reporting requirements in finalizing its Record of Decision.
On June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Nebraska v. Colorado, a dispute over alleged violations of the 1923 South Platte River Compact tied to groundwater diversions and the Perkins County Canal. Nebraska claims Colorado’s water management has cost it more than one million acre-feet, while Colorado maintains it is complying with the compact.
On July 9, a WestFAST Webinar featured DOJ Assistant Section Chief Stephen Bartell, who briefed attendees on the status of federal water rights litigation and adjudications across Western states. He walked through state-specific legal frameworks and fielded questions on federal-state coordination and DOJ’s strategy for holding water rights on grazing allotments.
On June 16, WestFAST hosted a webinar featuring NASA’s Perry Oddo and Sean Fleming on the agency’s Water Resources Program and its role in tracking the 2026 western snow drought. The presenters outlined NASA’s satellite-based tools and partnership pathways available to help Western water managers access and apply Earth observation data.
Drought and Wildfire in Western States, Summer 2026
People
Trevor Baggiore moved to a new Mission Partners Division Director role at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, with Randy Matas stepping in as Water Quality Division Interim Director. Karla Nemeth left her post as California DWR Director to lead ACWA, and Governor Newsom named Thomas Gibson as her successor at DWR.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WSWC Virtual Summer (210th) Meetings
The Western States Water Council will hold its 210th Meetings virtually on July 14–16, 2026. Webinars on various topics of interest will be scheduled for June, July, and August. The WSWC is hosting supplemental webinars alongside its July 13-16 Virtual Summer Meetings, offering optional technical presentations.
The Summer Series schedule is as follows:
WATCH RECORDING June 16th at 12:00 pm MDT–– (WestFAST) NASA’s Water Resources Program: Supporting Water
Management in the U.S. West and Beyond, Perry Oddo and Sean Fleming
July 9th at 1:00 pm MDT– (WestFAST) Overview of Water Rights Litigation Nation Wide, Stephen
Bartell, Department of Justice.
July 22nd at 11:00 am MDT– (WSWC) Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations: National Screening Update, Cary Talbot, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Additional agenda details and registration will be posted as they become available at the link below: