Document Z4B34zYVnJB5zoqykaqp585j8

Department of Environmental Quality To protect, conserve and enhance the quality o f Wyoming's environment for the benefit o f current and future generations. Todd Parfitt, Director July 14, 2017 The Honorable Scott Pruitt Administrator U .S . Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, N W Washington, D .C . 20460 RE: Nomination of Dave Ross for Assistant Administrator of Water for the U.S, Environmental Protection Agency Dear Mr. Pruitt: On behalf of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), I support the nomination of Dave Ross to serve as the Assistant Administrator of Water for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The WDEQ is responsible for protecting the quality of Wyoming's surface and ground waters under the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, and implements Federal water quality programs under both the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Consequently, it is of great importance and interest to Wyoming that this key position be filled with a strong professional leader with a solid background in water quality programs. Based on my experience working with Mr. Ross coupled with his diverse background and experience in water quality matters, I am confident that Mr. Ross possesses the necessary traits to successfully implement EPA's water programs in a collaborative manner with states. Mr. Ross has broad and diverse experiences in water quality matters, including working as the State of Wyoming's lead water quality attorney, experience as an environmental consultant working on water reclamation projects in California, and handling many Clean Water Act Section 404 matters in private law practice. His detailed knowledge of the Clean Water Act, combined with his ability to blend policy, science and the law to analyze, formulate and implement solutions to complex issues, proved invaluable to Wyoming. His deep knowledge of water quality issues and his practical experience make him ideally situated to be the Assistant Administrator of Water and to serve and support you and the agency. Mr. Ross possesses the necessary tools to effectively and appropriately oversee the EPA's Water programs in a fair, balanced and practical way. He has demonstrated the ability to objectively analyze and consider inputs from all points of view and formulate a fair and reasoned approach resulting in clear and concise decisions. One such example includes his key role in facilitating practical and productive dialogue with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to successfully advance remediation efforts at Eormerly Used Defense Sites in and around Cheyenne, Wyoming. Mr. Ross's understanding of the intersection of federal and state law, and on the ground implementation o f those laws is key to successful administration of EPA's water programs. As an 200 West 17th Street Cheyenne, WY 82002 http://deq.wyomtng.gov Fax (307)635-1784 ADMMiOUTREACH ABANDONED MiNES AIR QUALITY INnnsTBtai s in tic i *u n ,, i .a i .TM ------------------------------ Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 10 ED 002061 00065975-00001 example, one issue of great importance and interest is the ongoing effort to clarify the definition of Waters of the United States. His direct knowledge of, and involvement in the Assumable Waters Subcommittee would be a tremendous asset in any federal-state dialogue on how to effectively shape future policy and direction in the Section 404(g) program. Finally, Mr. Ross has demonstrated his clear knowledge and understanding of the appropriate roles of federal, state, local and tribal authorities in implementing water programs. This understanding of the relationship between state and federal partners is a critical attribute as the states and EPA work collaboratively to embrace the key principles of cooperative federalism. For these reasons, the WDEQ strongly supports the confirmation of Dave Ross as the Assistant Administrator for Water. Sincerely, Todd Parfitt Director Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 10 ED_002061_00065975-00002