Search Results for keywords:"environmental protection"

The memorandum from the Executive Office of the President directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior to resume efforts to redirect more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to areas of California that need it. This action seeks to address the halt caused by a lawsuit filed by the State of California, which aimed to protect local fish species like the Delta smelt. The document also highlights the necessity of providing water to Southern California due to recent wildfires, emphasizing the need for a stable water supply and effective vegetation management. The agencies involved are expected to report progress and future recommendations within 90 days.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule targeting the chemical perchloroethylene (PCE), which poses significant health risks. This rule aims to limit the use of PCE in industrial, commercial, and consumer applications. It includes a phaseout of PCE in dry cleaning over a 10-year period and imposes restrictions such as workplace controls to protect workers and consumers. The rule addresses exposure risks such as neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity, promoting safer alternatives and ensuring compliance with new safety standards.

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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing a rule concerning Utah's hazardous waste management program because they received negative feedback on it. This rule was originally published on December 23, 2024, and its withdrawal means changes to Utah's program won't happen as planned. The EPA will address these comments in a future rule but won't allow for more public comments during that process. The rules involved were related to hazardous waste and environmental protection standards.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit a request to extend an existing information collection related to vehicle emission inspection and maintenance programs run by state and local governments. The EPA wants public feedback on different aspects of this collection, which helps evaluate and improve these programs, ensuring they meet set emission reduction standards. The current approval for this data collection is valid only till October 31, 2021, and such projects require displaying a valid approval number to legally collect information from the public. Comments must be submitted by April 30, 2021, through the federal regulations website.

The Executive Order 14225, titled "Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production," aims to boost domestic timber production by reducing regulatory barriers. It directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to update guidance and implement strategies for more efficient timber production and forest management. This involves streamlining processes under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), eliminating unnecessary permitting delays, and considering categorical exclusions to simplify environmental assessments. The Order also emphasizes coordination among agencies to identify and address obstacles to domestic timber production.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new rules for the use of certain chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These rules, known as Significant New Use Rules (SNURs), require entities to notify EPA at least 90 days before starting activities considered significant new uses of these chemicals. The EPA will then assess these uses for potential risks. The proposed rules aim to ensure new chemical substances are safely manufactured and processed, protecting human health and the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made available a notice about the weekly receipt of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for a period ending on January 4, 2021. According to Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to make its comments on EISs from other federal agencies public. One such draft EIS mentioned is for the South Fork Wind Farm and South Fork Export Cable Project, with comments open until February 22, 2021. Cindy S. Barger from the Office of Federal Activities is directing this process.