In a surprise move, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Tracy Mehan, resigned on November 21. Mehan will remain in the position until December 29 and plans to make decisions on several key issues prior to his departure. Mehan's resignation was unexpected, and in his letter to President Bush and remarks to EPA staff he did not indicate his reason for leaving the Agency. EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt will name an acting assistant administrator to run the Office of Water until a permanent replacement for Mehan is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Possible candidates for the acting position include Ben Grumbles, who served as a deputy to Mehan before being recruited to work as Leavitt's congressional relations chief, and the current Deputy Administrator (and EPA career employee), Mike Shapiro. Grumbles may also emerge as a candidate for the job on a permanent basis. Mehan joined EPA in August 2001, and was immediately thrust into a leadership role in formulating EPA's response to post-September 11 water security concerns. Other accomplishments during his tenure include publication of the water infrastructure Gap Analysis and new policies on watershed-based permitting and water quality trading. He previously served as Director of Michigan's Office of the Great Lakes from 1993 to 2001, as Associate Deputy Director of EPA from 1992 to 1993, and was Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from 1989 to 1992.