Bringing you the latest news, events, and updates from NEIWPCC and our partners.

In This Issue

Funding Available for Development of Nonpoint Source Tracking Tool in the Long Island Sound

NEIWPCC, in cooperation with Long Island Sound Study and its partners including the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is inviting proposals for the continued development of the Long Island Sound best management practice (BMP) tracking tool.

Minneapolis_Minnesota_shutterstock_113821471-1 image

New Report Assesses Mercury Contamination in Fish Tissue Taken From Connecticut Lakes

A recent analysis of tissue samples by the University of Connecticut (UConn) detected largemouth bass with high mercury concentrations in several waterbodies. Human consumption of contaminated fish tissue can result in cardiovascular and nervous system damage...

Source Water Protection Toolkit Now Available Online

NEIWPCC has issued an updated source water protection toolkit, which is now available for use by municipal and regulatory officials throughout the seven member states. The document provides information and resources to stakeholders on how they can better protect drinking water sources in their communities.

National State Revolving Fund Workshop Explores Water Quality Initiatives and Strategies

NEIWPCC, in collaboration with the U.S. EPA, states, and other partners, hosted the 2023 National State Revolving Fund (SRF) Workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina in July. The workshop provided attendees with opportunities to learn about SRF program implementation through panel discussions and case studies from across the country.

More News

In Brief

The Lake Champlain Basin Program has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an external review of clean water accounting methods.

The EPA released its framework for addressing new and new uses of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The framework outlines EPA’s planned approach when reviewing new PFAS and new uses of existing PFAS to ensure that, if allowed to enter into commerce, they will not be harmful to human health and the environment.

The EPA announced $58 million in grant funding to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities across the country.

A new study in Limnology and Oceanography Letters concludes that if road salt use remains the same or decreases, levels in many lakes could stabilize below thresholds set by the EPA.

EPA Region 1 announced a $10 million grant competition for an "Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center" (EJ TCTAC) to help New England communities and other environmental justice stakeholders access federal technical assistance and resources to address environmental and energy justice concerns.

A new science blog posted by the Lake Champlain Basin Program describes a pilot study for the “whole farm” approach to nutrient management.

The EPA proposed a rule that would streamline and clarify the requirements and steps necessary for states and tribes to administer programs protecting waterways from discharges of dredged or fill material without a permit.

Atlantic ribbed mussels, shown here, are being cultivated as part of the Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative. The objective of this study is to remove nutrients such as nitrogen from the water to improve its quality. The ribbed mussels retain the nutrients when cultivated in the hatchery and are removed during harvest. The material collected can also be processed and used as an animal feed. This added benefit can allow bioextraction to develop into a self-sustaining operation for mitigating water pollution. The initiative is managed by NEIWPCC, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Long Island Regional Planning Council, with funding from the Long Island Sound Study.

Photo by Demetrios Caroussos with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program.

Accolades

Mae Kate Campbell, environmental analyst, was interviewed in regards to the flooding in Lake Champlain on WCAX 3 News.

Eric Howe, program director for the Lake Champlain Basin Program, was quoted in the VTDigger.org article, Officials warn of pollution as floodwaters reach Lake Champlain.

Thank You for Your Service

Paul Hogan, a NEIWPCC commissioner from Massachusetts since May 2012, resigned his tenure effective July 2023. Hogan will continue to serve as a senior water resources, regulatory, and compliance specialist at Woodard & Curran. Previously, he worked at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for 37 years, focusing on water pollution control and Clean Water Act issues. NEIWPCC would like to thank Hogan for his many years of service, working tirelessly on NEIWPCC’s behalf and generously volunteering his time and energy.

Job Opportunities

Employment opportunities and internships are posted as they become available. We are currently accepting applications for the following positions:

Director of Human Resources (Lowell, Mass.)
Business Operations Administrative Assistant (Lowell, Mass.)
Environmental Analyst – Stream Monitoring and Assessment (Albany, N.Y.)
Environmental Analyst – Source Water Protection (Albany, N.Y.)
Environmental Analyst – Road Stream Crossing Implementation Specialist (New Paltz, N.Y.)
Environmental Analyst – HRECOS Coordinator (Staatsburg, N.Y.)
Environmental Analyst – Drinking Water Specialist (Middletown, N.Y.)
Environmental Engineer/Analyst – Permit Writer (Albany, N.Y.)
Environmental Engineer – Capital Replacement Program (Kingston, N.Y.)