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

In This Issue

Spring Issue of Interstate Waters Spotlights Aquatic Invasive Species

In the Spring 2023 issue of Interstate Waters, NEIWPCC shines a spotlight on the devastation of aquatic invasive species, and the efforts of staff throughout the Northeast to monitor, control and reduce the spread in a waterbody. Also included are articles about habitat restoration in the Long Island Sound and a historical perspective on two water purification treatment plants in Albany, New York.

New Video Spotlights Wastewater Career Journey

Stacy Thompson, deputy director of the Saco (Maine) Water Resource Recovery Department shares how she unexpectedly entered the clean water industry and what she loves about her career in this new video. Thompson, who is also a NEIWPCC commissioner, admits that working at a water resource recovery facility was not something she had planned on.

SNEP Funding Supports Water Chestnut Management in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

The Southeast New England Program (SNEP) awarded NEIWPCC a $262,077 grant for habitat restoration efforts in two interstate watersheds. The project, Community-Based Habitat Restoration: Water Chestnut Management in the Blackstone and Ten Mile Watersheds, will launch this spring. Both the Blackstone and Ten Mile watersheds are located in southeastern Massachusetts with sections in Rhode Island.

Episode 6: Let's Get to the Point - The NPDES Episode

The sixth episode of the “Clean Water Pod” podcast explores the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program, commonly referred to by its acronym, “NPDES.” To discuss how this program improves water quality, host Jeff Berckes is joined by guests Jeff Poupart, section chief of Water Quality Permitting with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, and Joe Haberek, administrator of Surface Water Protection in the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Office of Water Resources.

More News

In Brief

The EPA proposed the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The EPA New England Regional Office will host a virtual listening session on April 11 for New England communities to learn about and share feedback on EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) released a Request for Proposals for services to perform an economic assessment of major watershed-related uses, economic sectors, and economic impacts of these sectors to the Lake Champlain Basin. The LCBP anticipates offering one award of up to $200,000.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the 16th annual juvenile Eel Monitoring Program along the Hudson River estuary; volunteers are welcomed.

The Portland Press Herald reports on sludge disposal challenges and evolving science from Maine to California.

The EPA announced $57 million from the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act for states, tribes, and territories through this year's Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) in New England states to help communities upgrade essential wastewater and stormwater systems.

New York State officials announced the award of $110 million to 86 projects to improve water quality across the state. The funding will be distributed through two grant programs to support projects to improve wastewater infrastructure, drinking water quality, combat harmful algal blooms, update aging water infrastructure, and improve aquatic habitats.

The Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund Advisory Commission awarded $1.5 million to six projects through the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Source Water Protection grant program. The projects will conserve a total of 364 acres to protect community drinking water sources.

The Lake Champlain Basin Program released Requests for Proposals for three grant categories funded by the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grants will support aquatic invasive species management, native tree nurseries for habitat conservation projects, and wetland restoration in New York.

New York City has broken ground on the first of two underground storage tanks to increase the capacity of the city’s combined sewer system, reducing the potential for combined sewer overflows. The project also creates 3.6 acres of new public waterfront space.

"Changing Tides: Reaching Out, Reaching Forward," was the theme of the 2023 All Staff Meeting, held in March in Andover, Massachusetts. The annual gathering brought together NEIWPCC staff from across the Northeast to learn about each other's work and key water issues, and to network and collaborate. NEIWPCC commissioner and Vice Chair Jennifer Perry (Ct.) provided opening remarks and commissioner Paul Hogan (Mass.) spoke about the history of the Clean Water Act. Additionally, commissioners Kathy Baskin (Mass.), Daniel Lang (N.Y.), Marc Nascarella (Mass.) and Perry served on a panel about PFAS.

Accolades

Richard Friesner, director of Water Quality Programs, (shown here) received the Annual Achievement Award at the 2023 All Staff Meeting. Friesner received nominations for his reliable leadership, positive attitude and dedication to NEIWPCC.

Victoria Helle, environmental analyst, wrote an article in the winter 2022 issue of the New York Water Environment Association’s (NYWEA) magazine, ClearWaters. (See page 41.)

Susan Sullivan, executive director, participated in a panel discussion at the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) Annual Meeting.

Job Opportunities

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

Environmental Analyst - Underground Storage Tank Program (Providence, Rhode Island)
Lake Champlain Boat Launch Stewards (Vermont and New York)
Stewardship & Restoration Seasonal Intern (Staatsburg, New York)

NEIWPCC Careers