Search Results for keywords:"environmental assessments"

The Executive Order 14225, titled "Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production," aims to boost domestic timber production by reducing regulatory barriers. It directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to update guidance and implement strategies for more efficient timber production and forest management. This involves streamlining processes under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), eliminating unnecessary permitting delays, and considering categorical exclusions to simplify environmental assessments. The Order also emphasizes coordination among agencies to identify and address obstacles to domestic timber production.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) received an application from the City of Columbia, South Carolina, to amend its non-capacity license for the Columbia Hydroelectric Project. This amendment is needed to repair damage caused by heavy rain and flooding in 2015, including the replacement of headgates and generating equipment, as well as canal embankment repairs. The FERC staff has agreed to adopt Environmental Assessments prepared by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which concluded that the repairs do not significantly impact the environment. For more information, the public is encouraged to contact the Commission's Office of Public Participation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is inviting public comments on proposed amendments to habitat conservation plans for the lesser prairie-chicken in areas including Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. These amendments involve changes to incidental take permits following updated boundaries for the lesser prairie-chicken's range. The public and various government levels can comment until February 13, 2025. The proposed amendments aim to expand conservation efforts and permit coverage without altering the original duration or scope of the plans.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has finalized a decision to reallocate certain water resources from the Central Arizona Project (CAP). This action involves reallocating non-Indian agricultural (NIA) priority CAP water based on the Arizona Department of Water Resources' recommendations. The reallocation addresses both municipal and industrial needs in Arizona and was reached after considering public feedback and environmental evaluations. The decision aims to ensure efficient water distribution and management while complying with federal and state laws.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) announced that it is adopting several categorical exclusions (CEs) from the Department of Energy under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These exclusions allow for certain proposed actions by EXIM that do not significantly impact the human environment, thereby speeding up project approvals and conserving resources by eliminating the need for detailed environmental assessments. This decision supports EXIM's Make More in America initiative by enabling quicker processing of transactions that promote U.S. business exports. EXIM consulted with the Department of Energy to ensure the appropriateness of these CEs for their proposed actions.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued permits, amendments, and modifications under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. These permits cover activities that comply with existing environmental policies and do not harm endangered species. Further details about these permits can be accessed via email or by reviewing relevant Federal Register notices. The decisions were made based on environmental assessments and align with the legal requirements for protecting marine mammals and endangered species.