INSIDE EPA: EPA’s Ross Eyes Greater Water Policy ‘Engagement,’ Incremental Changes
EPA water chief David Ross is looking for ways to replicate in other rulemakings the type of engagement the agency used with states to discuss changes to the Obama-era Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction rule, while stressing the need for incremental progress with water policies rather than trying to accomplish everything at once.
Speaking at the National Water Policy Fly-In April 17 in Washington, D.C., Ross outlined his priorities as assistant administrator of the Office of Water, and said his overarching goal is to be proactive instead of reactive. The fly-in was sponsored by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the Water Environment Federation, the Water Research Foundation and WateReuse.
One example of how Ross wants to change the way EPA does business is to change the process of consultation with state and local governments and the regulated community into one of “engagement,” he said, pointing to the process used with the jurisdiction rule. In that case, EPA invited nine states to each bring three representatives, including state agriculture directors, for two days of talks with the agency, he said.
