EPA, Corps, Interior move to expedite water infrastructure priorities

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Six federal agencies have named designees for a new Water Subcabinet established through President Trump’s mid-October “Modernizing America’s Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure” Executive Order. They are tasked with protecting taxpayer investments  by promoting integrated planning and coordination for drinking water, wastewater, water reuse, water storage and delivery, plus water resource management; supporting workforce development to recruit, train, and retain water sector professionals; reducing duplication between federal agencies developing water policy; and, developing a national strategy to ensure water supply, quality, system and forecasting reliability.

The Executive Order directs the Water Subcabinet to be co-chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, posts presently held by David Bernhardt and Andrew Wheeler. Joining them are Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary of Water and Science Dr. Tim Petty; EPA Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross; Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey; Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James; Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Daniel Simmons; and, Deputy National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Rear Admiral Gallaudet.

“The federal government has a responsibility to ensure the most efficient use of our taxpayer dollars to manage and protect America’s precious water resources,” says EPA’s Ross. “Enhanced federal coordination under the Water Subcabinet will help EPA accelerate progress on modernizing water infrastructure, encouraging innovative strategies like water reuse, and supporting the next generation of the water sector workforce.”