Search Results for keywords:"environmental protection"

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary rule to create a safety zone in Queensway Bay, Long Beach, due to a fireworks display on December 31, 2024. This safety zone, in effect from 11 p.m. on December 31, 2024, to 12:30 a.m. on January 1, 2025, restricts entry into the area to protect people and the environment from potential hazards. Vessels and individuals are prohibited from entering the zone without permission from the Captain of the Port Los Angeles-Long Beach or a designated representative. The rule is intended to provide safety while minimizing impact on maritime activities, and the Coast Guard encourages small entities affected by the rule to reach out for assistance if needed.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is planning to renew a collection related to Antarctic emergency response and environmental protection. In line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, NSF invites public comments by February 3, 2025, before seeking official approval from the Office of Management and Budget. The proposed rule affects non-governmental Antarctic expeditions and requires them to ensure that vessel owners have emergency response plans and that expedition members are informed about their environmental obligations. The expected paperwork burden is estimated to take 40 hours or less and cost $500 to $1400 per respondent.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to regulate the chemical known as Phenol, Isopropylated Phosphate (3:1) (PIP (3:1)). This rule prohibits the processing and distribution of PIP (3:1) and products containing it, with certain exceptions for specific industries like aviation and automotive, where no safer alternatives exist. The rule also bans the release of this chemical into water and mandates that commercial users follow best practices to prevent such releases. The regulation aims to reduce the manufacture, use, and disposal of PIP (3:1), thereby lowering the risk of exposure to humans and the environment.

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consistency by introducing new methods for detecting specific substances like PFAS and PCB congeners, while withdrawing outdated testing parameters and methods.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.