The National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) offers a Hot Topics Webinar Series that focuses on timely issues and studies such as new and emerging wetland policy and law, innovative tools and technology and state-of-the-art practices. These webinars are advertised through our website, newsletters, social media and emails.
For more information and/or to join our email list for notices about upcoming events, please contact Laura Burchill at laura@nawm.org.
If you haven’t used Go To Webinar before or you just need a refresher, please view our guide prior to the webinar here.
View Past Hot Topics Webinars Here
View a List of Past Hot Topics Webinar Recordings Here
Strategies for States and Tribes Regarding Nationwide General Permits
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT
ABSTRACT
This webinar will explore how states, tribes, and the public can prepare to help shape the new package of Nationwide General Permits (NWPs) that will take effect early March 2026. The Corps reissues NWPs every five years and must propose the draft NWPs for public comment and for water quality certification under Clean Water Act section 401. The official notice was posted in the Federal Register on June 16th with only a 30-day commenting window. The expiring NWP package raised numerous issues when they were proposed in 2020, both substantive and procedural, and many expect similar issues to recur in the new package. This webinar first will provide a general overview of NWPs as well as the section 401 water quality certification process. Then, state and tribal staff who reviewed and commented on past NWPs will explore how agencies and the public can prepare for what is expected to be a short window for public comments on the draft permits. Speakers also will discuss data and analyses that state and tribal certifying agencies could begin to collect now that could inform their water quality certification decisions. The webinar will have ample opportunity for Q&As.
PANELISTS:
- Donna Downing, NAWM
- Jon Devine, NRDC
- Ken Norton, National Tribal Water Council and Director of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Environmental Protection Agency
- Grace Leppink-Walz, Fond du Lac Tribe
- Samantha Vogeler, Kentucky Division of Water
- TBD
BIOS
Donna Downing is the Senior Legal Policy Advisor at the National Association of Wetland Managers. Donna was the Jurisdiction Team Leader in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds from 2007-2020. Donna worked on a variety of issues at EPA, with a focus in recent years on the geographic scope of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in light of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions. She also served as EPA’s staff lead for CWA section 401 water quality certification, and on wetland-related legal issues. Prior to joining EPA in 1998, Donna worked for the U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment and in private law practice. She has a BA magna cum laude from Harvard University, an MPP from the University of California at Berkeley, a JD cum laude from Georgetown University Law School, and an LLM in Environmental Law summa cum laude from George Washington University Law School. Donna has been an adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School since 1996, teaching environmental law.
Grace Leppink-Walz is the Water Regulatory Specialist for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Northern Minnesota. She enforces the Fond du Lac Band’s 401 Water Quality Certification Standards, Environmental Policy, and Wetland Protection & Management Ordinances. She is also Fond du Lac Band’s Coordinator for the St. Louis River Area of Concern which deals with legacy contamination in the St. Louis River and estuary.
Samantha Vogeler has worked for the Kentucky Division of Water since 2015. With a strong regulatory background, she has extensive experience in implementing regulations under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. She is the Supervisor for the Kentucky 401 Water Quality Certification Section, where she ensures statewide implementation and compliance with the 401 Water Quality Certification Program and serves on the Kentucky Interagency Review Team. Since 2019, Samantha has served on the National Association of Wetland Managers Board of Directors and is currently the Vice Chair. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing sports, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
Integrated Watershed Management Planning: Recovery and Mitigation Efforts Following the 2013 Colorado Floods
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT
More information coming soon.