Search Results for keywords:"Upper Missouri G.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate critical habitats for four species of freshwater mussels: the rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. These designations spread across 17 states in the United States, covering approximately 3,974 river miles. The critical habitats are aimed at protecting key environmental features essential for the mussels' survival, such as suitable water flow, quality, and host fish presence. The agency is inviting comments on this proposal until February 11, 2025, and has also released an economic analysis regarding the designations.

The Department of Justice has lodged a proposed Consent Decree with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The Decree is part of a lawsuit where the U.S. government is seeking recovery of costs related to cleaning up contamination from uranium processing at a site in North St. Louis County. The Cotter Corporation, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, and the U.S. will together pay nearly $164 million for these costs. Public comments on this proposal are invited for thirty days following the notice's publication, and the document can be reviewed online.

The Department of Justice has announced a proposed Consent Decree with BCP Ingredients, Inc. over violations of the Clean Air Act due to the release of ethylene oxide at their Missouri facility. Under this agreement, BCP will pay a $300,000 fine, install new equipment to reduce emissions, and conduct three community projects worth $350,000. These projects include donating vehicles and medical supplies, providing medical visits, and supplying emergency response equipment. The public can comment on this decree within 30 days of its announcement.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a waiver to exempt City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri, from the Buy America requirements for certain products used in its natural gas project funded by the NGDISM grant. This waiver is granted because these products, such as locator markers and magnesium anodes, are not available in sufficient quantities from domestic manufacturers. City Utilities had previously sought suppliers but found no companies able to provide the required products compliant with the Buy America Act. The waiver applies only to this specific project and is effective until the project concludes, estimated by June 30, 2029.

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration announced updates to the Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for H-2A temporary agricultural workers in the U.S. These wage rates are the minimum amounts employers must pay to ensure that the U.S. workers' wages and conditions are not negatively impacted. The new AEWRs, effective December 16, 2024, or December 30, 2024, for certain states due to a court order, apply to specific agricultural job categories. The rates are based on the USDA's Farm Labor Report and ensure that employers pay workers adequately according to established wage data.

TIP Minnesota Coaches Acquisition LLC, TIP MN Investments LP, and Tiger Infrastructure Partners Fund IV AIV LP are seeking the Surface Transportation Board's approval to gain control of multiple passenger motor carriers, including Marschall Line and Minnesota Coaches. These companies specialize in school and motorcoach transportation services, with operations primarily in Minnesota and extending to neighboring states. The proposed acquisition intends to maintain current services and workforce while potentially expanding the fleet. If no opposition is filed, the transaction will be finalized by February 25, 2025.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a final rule to change how Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area boundaries are defined, making them more similar to those used for General Schedule (GS) locality pay areas. This rule, effective October 1, 2025, and impacting about 10% of FWS employees, aims to address pay disparities by reducing the number of FWS wage areas and aligning them more closely with GS locality pay areas. It is based on recommendations from the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC) and is expected to result in pay increases for some workers while others may see little change or enter pay retention due to the restructuring.

The Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order was established to help boost the pecan industry in the United States. It introduces a system to collect assessments from producers and importers to fund marketing campaigns and research aimed at increasing demand for pecans. The rule sets up a governing Board to oversee these activities and requires a referendum after three years to decide on the continuation of the order. While most of the industry supports this program, there are concerns about the financial burden on producers due to existing marketing orders.

The Department of Education has finalized a rule about income-contingent repayment plans for federal student loans. This rule allows new enrollments in the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plans until July 1, 2027. The extension is to ensure the Department complies with legal requirements while making changes to the existing repayment plans. These actions are meant to help borrowers continue their loan payments and stay on track for forgiveness, especially while a court case delays the new SAVE plan.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is requesting public comments on an information collection relating to the employment of H-2B nonimmigrant workers. This request, part of the Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) efforts, seeks to gather opinions on the necessity and utility of the information being collected. Interested parties can submit comments until May 19, 2025. The ICR involves a form for employers who want to hire H-2B workers under specific legislative provisions.