Search Results for keywords:"Clean Water Act"

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) 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 Department of Justice has lodged a proposed Consent Decree in a lawsuit concerning natural resource damages caused by Vigor Industrial, LLC and Exxon Mobil Corp. The lawsuit involves claims under environmental laws for damages in Seattle's Lower Duwamish River. The proposed settlement requires the defendants to carry out and maintain habitat restoration projects and pay $815,816.59 for assessment costs. Public comments on the proposed Consent Decree and the Draft Restoration Plan will be accepted for 30 days following the notice's publication.

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 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 proposed a Third Amendment to a Consent Decree with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, in response to a lawsuit over violations of the Clean Water Act. The amendment outlines steps for the city to reduce sewage overflows, aiming for an 85% reduction by 2040 with interim goals set for the years 2024, 2030, and 2035. Public comments on the proposed amendment are invited within 30 days of this notice, and the Consent Decree is available online or by mail upon request.

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) 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.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request about the modification of secondary treatment requirements for discharges into marine waters to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This request involves public comments that had previously been called for in August 2020, with an additional 30 days now open for further comments. The Clean Water Act section 301(h) allows specific wastewater treatment facilities to receive permits waiving some treatment requirements if they meet strict environmental criteria. The information collected will help ensure these facilities are operating within legal limits to protect water quality and habitats.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request titled "Water Quality Standards Regulation" to the Office of Management and Budget for review. This request, referred to as an extension, is tied to standards aimed at protecting water quality in the United States. The public is invited to submit comments until March 31, 2025. The collection involves various entities, including states, territories, and Tribes, and is estimated to take about 493,362 hours annually, costing around $25 million in labor and operational expenses.