EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox recently highlighted common-ground waters of the United States (WOTUS) strategy and infrastructure investment in Alaska with Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Fox and Murkowski collaborated in February to help identify key areas that the EPA can team up with the senator's office to achieve common goals, according to a press release.
“I want to thank Sen. Murkowski for inviting me to experience what makes Alaska so special and for her leadership that benefits this state and our nation. I will take these stories, lessons and experiences back with me. Water is essential to healthy people, thriving communities, agricultural production, recreation and economic development. Today, we discussed how federal, state and local partnership can make sustained progress and benefit all people,” Fox said in a release.
Murkowski has made clean water access a priority for her office.
“The best way to understand the unique needs of Alaska communities is by coming to our state and speaking directly with Alaskans. I appreciated the opportunity to host Assistant Administrator Fox at a roundtable in Anchorage focused on WOTUS, and to convene a group of Alaskans who spoke to the extreme burden that an expanded rule would impose on our state," she said. "As we try to find common ground on a WOTUS definition that works for Alaska, I also welcomed the opportunity to highlight the investments the bipartisan infrastructure bill provides for water and wastewater infrastructure. Administrator Fox will play a key role in ensuring those basic services finally reach communities in need across our state.”
It is hoped that the outcome of the meeting will be joint projects that will help to keep Alaskan communities happy, healthy and thriving.
