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HIGHLIGHTS
On July 13-16, the WSWC held its 210th Meetings virtually, covering state water roundtables on topics including post-Sackett permitting, data centers, water infrastructure, and water data. Members elected new leadership, with Earl Lewis (Kansas) as Chair, Candice Hasenyager (Utah) as Vice Chair, and Ria Burns (Washington) as Secretary-Treasurer, and adopted Position #2026-03 in support of SRFs, WIFIA, and State & Tribal Assistance Grants.
On July 16, EPA published a notice proposing to issue a Good Samaritan remediation permit to Trout Unlimited Inc. to clean up the abandoned Bodie Mine site in Okanogan County, Washington, authorizing excavation of up to 790 tons of contaminated soil and sediment from Toroda Creek to reduce annual releases of arsenic, cadmium, and lead-laden tailings. Public comments are due August 17, 2026, via regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2026-3103.
On July 13, the public comment period closed for OMB’s proposed rule Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, expanding political oversight of federal grantmaking. State water associations, the Water Sector Coalition, and a 22-state Attorney General coalition each submitted comments raising concerns about provisions affecting grant stability, administrative capacity, and state authority.
On July 15, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously advanced WRDA 2026 (S. 4949) to the full Senate, authorizing more than $35B over four years including reauthorization of the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs and WIFIA, and expanding SRF eligibility to cover PFAS remediation. Both chambers have now unanimously approved their respective versions.
On July 22, the WSWC hosted a webinar on progress of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) Screening Program, with presenters from ERDC detailing a three-stage national screening process currently prioritizing which of the 593 USACE flood control reservoirs should pursue FIRO implementation. Presenters highlighted ongoing interagency coordination with NOAA and Reclamation, synergies with managed aquifer recharge, and encouraged states and stakeholders to proactively engage their local Corps districts to advance FIRO projects.