A 28-year EPA staffer who oversees work on wetlands, water quality and Clean Water Act regulations is stepping down at the end of the week.
Brian Frazer, director of the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds within the Office of Water, is one of the highest-ranking career staffers to depart during the second Trump administration.
His retirement comes as the administration is preparing to finalize two closely watched regulations led by his office: one defining the scope of the Clean Water Act, and another that allows states to limit pollution from energy projects.
“Given Brian had such an extensive history in the water program and working with all the partners — whether it’s the states or other groups — losing that kind of institutional knowledge is always going to be a challenge,” said Julia Anastasio, executive director of the Association of Clean Water Administrators, which works with states on water protection issues.
