January 2023 SNEP Newsletter

Monitoring subcommittee met in December. On December 13, the SNEP Monitoring subcommittee hosted their quarterly meeting, during which time members discussed ways to promote the use of EPA’s Water Quality Exchange (WQX) and Portal (WQP) throughout the region to make data more readily accessible across the SNEP region. The subcommittee is currently seeking multidisciplinary input on how SNEP can better support this effort. Specifically, 1) what has been the experience(s) of your organization in uploading data to WQX, and 2) What would make it easier to regularly use the tool? Please submit your feedback by email to Adam Reilly and Tim Pasakarnis, chair of the Monitoring subcommittee, by March, 2023.

Designing SNEP’s Justice40 Initiative. Over the next few weeks, the SNEP Team aims to finalize its Justice40 equity plan in partnership with the SNEP Steering Committee and the SNEP EJ working group. We look forward to sharing our BIL-supported Justice40 plan over the next few months.

EPA-SNEP is still seeking applicants for nearly $1 Million in available funding for decentralized wastewater improvements in Rhode Island. As a companion award to the $1,150,000 Responsible Management Entity (RME) grant recently awarded to Barnstable County to reduce nitrogen entering Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay waterways, this RI-specific request for applications aims to tackle a broader range of wastewater management strategies that are inclusive of, but not limited to, the creation of an RME. Both funding opportunities were made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding opportunity is still live.

The Massachusetts Executive Office on Environment and Energy Affairs has released the 2022 MA Climate Assessment. The report is now available HERE.

EPA Rumney Marsh Study is now available. The report can be accessed HERE.

The New England Water Environment Association’s winter journal has been released. The report can be accessed HERE.

EPA and Army Finalize Rule Establishing Definition of WOTUS and Restoring Fundamental Water Protections. Read the press release HERE.

Informational Webinar/ Q&A on the SNEP Rhode Island Decentralized Wastewater Improvement Grant
January 26, 2023; 12:30p-1:30p | Virtual
The SNEP Team will be hosting a virtual informational session for those interested in applying for the 2023 Request for Applications for Rhode Island Decentralized Wastewater Improvement Grant. This event is free and open to the public. A recording will be made available and posted to the SNEP website.

13^th National Monitoring Conference
April 24-28, 2023 | Hybrid
The National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) is hosting its thirteenth conference on water quality monitoring in Virginia Beach, VA. This conference provides opportunities for water stakeholders – federal, state, tribal and local water professionals, non-profits, academia, industry and water consultants, and volunteer and community scientists – to network, develop new skills and partnerships, and exchange information. The proposed sessions and a short description of each are available at https://www.nalms.org/2023nmc/proposed-sessions/

EPA has announced two new EPA grants programs open for applications:

EJ Collaborative Problem-Solving Program Cooperative Agreements - https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-5
EJ Government-to-Government Program – https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-government-government-program

Applications are due April 10, 2023. Please share with this information with all interested parties.

The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program is Seeking Proposals
The FY23 Buzzards Bay Watershed Infrastructure and CCMP Grant Support Program, with $769,339 in U.S. EPA funding available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) is now accepting proposals. Eligible projects must implement a recommendation in the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and be principally located within the Buzzards Bay watershed.

Employment Opportunity at the Waquoit Bay Reserve
The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation is recruiting for a full-time Forest and Park Supervisor III who will be responsible for leading facility maintenance and operations at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR). The Forest and Parks Supervisor is an integral member of the WBNERR team and works collaboratively with other Reserve staff to support the Reserve’s work in research, education, training, and stewardship, and in serving as a state Park. The full job description and application can be found at: https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=22000E6Y

The MA Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is hiring a Social Media and Outreach Coordinator! This position will play a critical role within DER, strengthening and expanding the Division’s communications and outreach capabilities to communicate the value of DER’s ecological restoration work and to build public support for ecological restoration. If you know anyone who may be interested, please pass this posting on to them—we’re hoping to share broadly!

More information and instructions to apply can be found at https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=22000F8Y.

Have an idea for a story or something you’d like to see in our newsletter? Contact our Communications Coordinator, Adam Reilly at Reilly.Adam@epa.gov

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