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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has finalized a rule that amends the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan to introduce Amendment 8. This rule establishes a new Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rule that considers the role of herring in the ecosystem and prohibits midwater trawling within federal waters inshore from the U.S./Canada border to the Rhode Island/Connecticut border. The aim is to sustainably manage herring resources, addressing both overfishing risks and potential conflicts between different user groups such as commercial fishermen and ecotourism operators, while ensuring herring is available as essential forage for other marine species. These measures respond to the declining herring biomass and are expected to provide both ecological and long-term economic benefits, despite potential short-term economic impacts on the fishing industry.

The Coast Guard is proposing a new rule to change how often the Blackburn Point Bridge in Osprey, Florida, opens during busy weekday traffic. The goal is to reduce road congestion by limiting the bridge openings to three times an hour from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays while allowing on-demand openings at other times. The rule has received mixed feedback from the public, and the Coast Guard is inviting comments until February 7, 2025. This proposal aims to improve traffic flow while still allowing safe navigation for boats.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued regulations to allow the U.S. Navy to take marine mammals in the Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing Study Area. This modification permits additional takes of large whales due to vessel strikes. These regulations, effective from January 2025 to December 2025, mandate specific mitigation measures, like whale sighting notifications and limits on sonar use, to minimize impacts on marine mammals. The regulations were made after a thorough analysis and discussions with the Navy regarding potential impacts on marine mammal species, ensuring the activities have the least practicable adverse impact on these animals.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a total of $12.07 billion in funding through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. This funding is aimed at aiding areas significantly affected by disasters in 2023 and 2024, with specific allocations for housing recovery, infrastructure restoration, and economic revitalization. Eligible entities, including certain counties and cities, must use the majority of these funds to address unmet disaster needs and can apply for additional waivers if needed. The funds are available until fully used, and grantees have up to six years to disburse them properly.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is proposing a temporary waiver under the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) that would allow the use of domestically assembled solar modules for certain federally funded projects, as fully BABA-compliant solar modules are currently not available in sufficient quantities. The waiver aims to consolidate waivers for multiple projects, reduce paperwork, and support the growth of domestic solar manufacturing. This proposal supports creating a supply chain for American-made solar products and promoting the benefits for communities receiving HUD assistance. HUD is inviting public comments on this proposed waiver, which would be effective until December 31, 2025, with installation by June 30, 2026.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to New York's State Implementation Plan (SIP) for ozone air quality standards, specifically for the Lehigh Cement Company in Glens Falls, New York. This revision involves implementing controls for nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from a cement kiln, requiring them to use Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT). The proposed regulations are part of efforts to meet ozone standards and follow a nationwide consent decree. The EPA determined that this plan would not interfere with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) or other requirements of the Clean Air Act.

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing a new rule to allow bicycles on approximately 79.8 miles of multi-use trails in the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. This proposal is part of a comprehensive trail management plan aimed at improving access, accommodating the needs of the growing nearby city of Redding, and reopening trails impacted by the Carr Fire in 2018. The NPS plans to designate these trails for bicycles in a way that balances recreational use with the conservation of natural and cultural resources. Public comments on the proposed rule are being accepted until February 28, 2025.

In December 2024, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. issued a proclamation to establish the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in Pennsylvania. This monument commemorates the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, the first Federal off-reservation boarding school for Native children, notorious for its role in forcibly assimilating Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children. The proclamation acknowledges the historical trauma inflicted by the Federal Indian boarding school system and aims to promote healing and reconciliation by preserving the site's history. The monument will be managed jointly by the National Park Service and the U.S. Army, with a focus on ensuring that the story incorporates Tribal perspectives and acknowledges the resilience of Indigenous communities.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a rule to designate critical habitat for four distinct population segments of the foothill yellow-legged frog in California under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal outlines the locations and features necessary for the conservation of this frog species, covering around 760,071 acres. The proposal also considers potential impacts on land use, such as economic and national security concerns, as well as existing conservation plans. Public comments are invited until March 17, 2025, with requests for a public hearing due by February 28, 2025.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has designated a large area in the Pacific Ocean, called the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, to protect its unique marine environment around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The sanctuary spans about 582,570 square miles and is intended to preserve its invaluable biological, cultural, and historical resources. The rules for this sanctuary involve regulating activities like fishing and anchoring, following existing management frameworks and international guidelines to ensure protection while allowing for some scientific and cultural activities. This designation is in collaboration with various partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Hawaii, to enhance the protection and management of this significant marine area.