Bringing you the latest news, events, and updates from NEIWPCC and our partners.
In This Issue
Staff Recognition | Hudson River Curriculum Guide | New Resources for Harmful Cyanobacteria Blooms | Spiny Softshell Turtle Conservation | State Summaries | NPS Conference Registration Opens | NEIWPCC Submits WOTUS Comments | In Brief | Accolades | Employment Opportunities | Events
NEIWPCC Staff Recognized for Leadership in Water Industry

Susan Sullivan, executive director, and Jen Lichtensteiger, environmental analyst, received recognition last month as part of the New England Water Environment Association's 2021-22 Awards Program.

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New Hudson River Curriculum Guide Advances STEM Learning

The Hudson River Estuary Program announced a new Hudson River Curriculum Guide, featuring original lessons from the Estuary Program and its partners. The inquiry-based, multi-component science guide is designed for teachers and students...

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New Resources Aid in Managing Harmful Cyanobacteria Blooms

The Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) in collaboration with the Lake Champlain Basin Program, have developed new educational and technical materials to help identify and manage cyanobacteria blooms in the Lake Champlain watershed.

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Lake Champlain's New Ambassador: The Spiny Softshell Turtle

The Granby Zoo, located in Granby, Québec, launched a "spiny project," using the threatened eastern spiny softshell turtle as the face of their public outreach and stewardship programs in communities along the northern portion of Lake Champlain...

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Read Our State Summaries

NEIWPCC's state summaries, updated annually, highlight our work and impact in each of our seven member states. As a regional commission, NEIWPCC's mission is to advance clean water in the Northeast through collaboration with, and service to...

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Registration Opens for the Annual NPS Conference

The 32nd Annual Nonpoint Source (NPS) Conference will take place in Woodstock, Vermont on April 27-28, bringing together experts from academia, state, federal, and private organizations to discuss nonpoint source pollution...

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NEIWPCC Comments on Proposed Rule for WOTUS Definition

NEIWPCC recently submitted a letter to the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of the Army, commenting upon the proposed rule that helps determine what is defined as “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS), and thus subjected to federal regulation as part of the U.S. Clean Water Act.

In this letter, NEIWPCC supports and amplifies our member states’ voices, that WOTUS determinations be based upon the consensus of scientific findings, especially those that are needed to protect sensitive waterways such as ephemeral streams.
In Brief

NOAA released the 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report that outlines updated projections through 2150 for all U.S. coastal waters. The report estimates about one foot of sea level rise in the next 30 years along the East Coast.

David Cash was appointed as regional administrator for EPA Region 1. Cash is a former commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and the former dean of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

EPA's Long Island Sound Study Program to receive $106 million over five years under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will be soliciting Requests for Proposals for the 2022 Long Island Sound Futures Fund in March. There is potential funding of $10 million or more for Environmental Grants in the Long Island Sound Watershed. 

EPA announces the availability of $20 million in grant funding to assist communities and schools to reduce lead in drinking water.

The Maine legislative committee signals support for a bill to stop spreading sewage sludge in land applications and composting in response to the prevalence of PFAS.

EPA is hosting a series of public listening sessions on the Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities, so communities and stakeholders can provide their comments on the Agency's plan. EPA's Region 1 will host a New England-focused listening session on March 8 at 6 p.m.

The Call for Abstracts for the National State Revolving Fund Workshop is open until March 18. The workshop will be held July 27-29 in Portsmouth, N.H.

EPA released the document, “Proposed 2022 Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment Guidance.” The proposed guidance outlines strategies for communities to support affordable utility rates while planning investments in water infrastructure that are essential for CWA implementation.

EPA released a new Financing Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems: Pathways to Success with the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (pdf) guide. This guide is designed to help local and state onsite/decentralized wastewater programs and community leaders interested in learning ways to access CWSRF financing.
Deer on beach
Several deer were spotted strolling down the beach at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, N.Y. Image courtesy of the Long Island Sound Study; photo credit: Jimena Perez-Viscasillas, Long Island Sound Study Outreach Coordinator for the New York Sea Grant.
Accolades and Accomplishments

Sarah H. Fernald, environmental analyst and Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve research coordinator, co-authored the paper, "Invasive water chestnut hinders tidal wetland development," published in Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. [McKeon et al. 2022]

Leeann Hanson, information officer and JETCC coordinator based out of our South Portland, Maine office will retire this spring after more than 30 years with NEIWPCC. We thank her for her tremendous service and wish her well.

Jennifer Lichtensteiger, environmental analyst, and NEIWPCC Commissioner Janine Burke-Wells presented “Results from the Second National Biosolids Regulation, Quality, End Use, and Disposal Survey,” at the New England Water Environment Association's (NEWEA) annual conference.

Lichtensteiger also received the Alfred E. Peloquin Award, which recognizes an individual whose personal service has contributed to excellence in plant operations either directly at a treatment plant, or indirectly through assistance to plant operations personnel at the NEWEA annual conference.

Megan Lung, environmental analyst with the Hudson River Estuary Program, served as a panelist in the webinar, “Clearwater Presents: A Discussion with Black Environmental Industry Professionals,” hosted by the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

James Plummer, environmental analyst, moderated the “Watershed Management: Watershed Resilience – From Adaptation Resources to Watershed Based Solutions” session at the NEWEA annual conference, and helped plan the Young Professionals Summit.

Maude Salinger, information officer and Hudson River Estuary Program communications and citizen participation, co-authored the article “Germinating a NATURE Lab," in New York State’s "Conservationist" magazine.

Susan Sullivan, executive director, received the Elizabeth A. Cutone Award, given to an individual who has demonstrated key executive leadership of a water, wastewater or other environmentally focused organization at the NEWEA annual conference.

Matthew Vaughan, environmental analyst and LCBP chief scientist, and Mae Kate Campbell, environmental analyst, were the first and second authors, respectively, in a paper “Lake Champlain Community Scientist Volunteer Network Communicates Critical Cyanobacteria Information to Region-wide Stakeholders,” published in the Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education.

Peter Zaykoski, environmental analyst, will transition to the role of program manager of the NEIWPCC South Portland, Maine office effective May 2. Congratulations!
Job Opportunities

Employment opportunities and internships are posted as they become available. We are currently accepting applications for the following positions:
  • Environmental Analyst – Training Specialist (Lowell, MA)
  • Environmental Analyst – Nonpoint Source (Lowell, MA)
  • Environmental Analyst – Assistant Quality Assurance, Hudson River (Lowell, MA)
  • Environmental Analyst – HRECOS Coordinator (Albany, NY)
  • Environmental Analyst – Lake Monitoring and Assessment Section (Albany, NY)
  • Human Resources Generalist (Lowell, MA)
  • Staff Accountant (Lowell, MA)
  • Assistant Accountant – Capital Replacement Reconciliation (Kingston, NY)
  • Lake Champlain Boat Launch Steward (VT & NY)
  • Source Water Protection Intern (Lowell, MA)
  • Research & Monitoring Seasonal Intern (Staatsburg, NY)
Events

March 2-4, Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, Portland, Maine

March 6-9, Annual WateReuse Symposium, San Antonio, Texas


March 31, 2-4 p.m., Rhode Island Clean Water Legislative Summit, Rhode Island State House, House of Representatives Lounge, Providence, R.I.



April 5-7, ICWP Washington DC Roundtable, Crystal City, Va.


April 12-14, ACWA Nutrients Permitting Workshop, Kansas City, Mo.

April 19-22, WEF Collection Systems Conference , Detroit, Mich.

April 24-30, National Water Week, Washington, D.C.

April 27-28, Annual Nonpoint Source Conference, Woodstock, Vt.

May 3-5, ACWA Spring Conference & Exhibition, Sacramento, Cali.

May 14-20, Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting (JASM), Grand Rapids, Mich.


May 22-25, NEWEA Spring Meeting, Bretton Woods, N.H.

May 23-24, Lake Champlain Research Conference, Burlington, Vt.

May 24-27, WEF Residuals and Biosolids Conference, Columbus, Ohio


To submit your event for possible inclusion in a future issue, please send an email with a link to your event to: NEIWPCC. 
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NEIWPCC is a regional commission that helps the states of the Northeast preserve and advance water quality. 


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