In Brief

The EPA is inviting public comment on tentative research permits for a potential climate change mitigation technique off the coast of Cape Cod.

The Lake Champlain Steering Committee awarded $7.7 million in grants for clean water and healthy ecosystems work. Local watershed organizations, municipalities, and conservation districts in New York, Québec, and Vermont will use the money for more than 140 projects that help to reduce runoff, restore habitat, and prevent the spread of harmful invasive species.  

Restore America’s Estuaries announced subawardees for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund, which is a partnership with the EPA with funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The EPA issued the results of the 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS), outlining wastewater, stormwater, and other clean water infrastructure needs.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management issued a draft Impaired Waters List and opened the public comment period.

The EPA announced $25 million in grant funding to benefit underserved, small and disadvantaged communities by upgrading infrastructure to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, reducing exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), removing sources of lead, and addressing additional local drinking water challenges.

The Long Island Sound Study reports on two studies on residential fertilizer use to help identify nitrogen “hot spots.”

Two New York State Hudson River Estuary Program requests for applications are available: local stewardship planning and river education.

Designed to inspire and educate the public about the nation’s environmental history, the National Environmental Museum and Education Center is now open in Washington, D.C.

A new study led by Boston University’s School of Public Health researchers has found that residents living in the downstream communities that border the Merrimack River in Massachusetts are at a substantially increased risk of developing acute gastrointestinal illnesses following large-volume combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

A recently completed assessment of the bi-national Rock River identified opportunities to reduce phosphorus and is the first of its kind in the Lake Champlain Basin. 

The EPA released the 2022 Progress and Accomplishments Report of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program which works in 21 urban locations across the country.

Accolades



James Ammerman, environmental analyst and Long Island Sound science coordinator, presented about hypoxia at the Long Island Sound Research Conference. He also moderated a session and served on the planning committee for the event.

Sue Hagar, information officer and Lake Champlain Basin Program outreach specialist, gave a presentation on equity in angling at the 2024 National Outdoor Recreation Conference.

Meg Modley, environmental analyst and Lake Champlain Basin Program aquatic invasive species management coordinator, delivered a presentation on aquatic invasive species spread prevention work in the Champlain Canal, as well as efforts to prevent round goby introduction to Lake Champlain, at the International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Emma Shipley, environmental analyst, Rhode Island Department of Health Center for Drinking Water Quality, presented about the department’s voluntary sampling program for lead in drinking water in schools and child care facilities at the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association meeting.