Search Results for keywords:"Clean Water Act"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice denying a petition to overturn a Consent Agreement and Proposed Final Order involving the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority and Frederick County Sanitation Authority. This decision was made after reviewing a petition that claimed false statements were made regarding economic benefits and pollution control practices by the respondents. The EPA determined that these statements were not materially false and did not warrant setting aside the order or holding a hearing. The case details, including the order, are accessible online for public review.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to submit a request to renew their information collection on episodes of oil and hazardous substance releases. This supports regulations under CERCLA and the Clean Water Act. The EPA is seeking public comments on the necessity and practicality of the information being collected, as well as ways to reduce the burden on responders. The required reporting helps the government determine if federal action is needed to protect public health and the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comments on the renewal of the information collection request (ICR) related to the Clean Water Act Section 404 State-Assumed Programs. This ICR is under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and is set to expire on February 28, 2025. The document outlines the responsibilities of states and tribes in managing the Section 404 permit program, which regulates discharges into US waters. The EPA estimates that three states will administer the program during the next three years, affecting about 15,237 permit applicants, with total annual costs of approximately $6.6 million.

The United States, on behalf of the Department of the Interior and the State of Iowa, is seeking public comments on a proposed settlement with Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). This settlement addresses the damage to natural resources caused by an ethanol spill from a derailed CP train near the Mississippi River in 2015. CP has agreed to pay $282,391 for restoration efforts, and in return, will not face legal action from the trustees for these claims. The public has 30 days from the notice's publication date to submit comments, which can be sent via email or mail.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the 2021 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for stormwater discharges from industrial activities. This permit replaces the expired 2015 MSGP and covers eligible operators in areas where the EPA is the permitting authority, including states, Indian country lands, and U.S. territories. The new permit introduces changes such as streamlined language, public signs for permit coverage, and new monitoring requirements. It will be effective from March 1, 2021, and lasts for five years, aiming to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule under the Federal Clean Water Act to amend the California Toxics Rule by establishing a revised selenium water quality criterion for certain freshwater bodies in California. This new criterion aims to protect aquatic life and wildlife that depend on these aquatic ecosystems from high selenium levels, which can be toxic. The EPA incorporated public feedback and scientific evidence into the rule, and it includes measures to account for site-specific conditions. The rule will take effect on January 16, 2025, unless California develops its own compliant standards.

The Department of Justice has lodged a proposed Consent Decree with the court to settle claims against American Zinc Recycling Corp. for environmental law violations at their facility in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. These claims involve federal laws such as the Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act, and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, along with several Pennsylvania state laws. Under the Consent Decree, the company must implement new pollution control measures and pay a $3.3 million penalty, split between the U.S. and Pennsylvania. There is a public comment period on the Consent Decree, during which the document can be reviewed online or requested by mail.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made comprehensive updates to the regulations overseeing Clean Water Act (CWA) section 404 programs, which involve the management of dredged and fill material by Tribes and States. These updates aim to clarify requirements for how Tribes and States can assume these programs, enhance procedures for public and inter-agency coordination, and strengthen oversight and enforcement aspects. They also allow for greater Tribal involvement in commenting on permits that might impact Tribal resources. The EPA has also streamlined the process for withdrawing State programs if they are not compliant with the CWA requirements, ensuring effective and efficient program operations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning the Clean Water Act Section 404 State-Assumed Programs. This request, aimed at extending a currently approved information collection, allows states and tribes to manage their own permit programs for certain water discharges. The EPA seeks public comments on the necessity and accuracy of this proposed information gathering, which involves significant hours of work for applicants and states. The total estimated cost for the programs is over $5 million, and the collected information will be available for public review.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed updates to the Clean Water Act methods for analyzing pollutants in effluent. This rule aims to improve data quality and consistency by introducing new methods for detecting specific substances like PFAS and PCB congeners, while withdrawing outdated testing parameters and methods. Additionally, the proposal includes simplifying certain sampling requirements and making minor corrections to existing tables of approved methods. Public comments on this proposal are invited until February 20, 2025.