Search Results for keywords:"environmental regulations"

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission issued a notice listing General Permits that were approved during January 2025. These permits include one for the Selinsgrove Municipal Authority related to emergency or maintenance activities for water supply usage. The notice provides the necessary contact information for further inquiries and refers to specific regulatory and statutory provisions. The approval details involve activities set to comply with existing water management regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a Tribal Implementation Plan (TIP) submitted by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. The TIP aims to regulate air pollution on the Tribe's Indian Reservation and tribal trust parcels by maintaining national air quality standards through an open burning program. The plan includes standards for pollutants like sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and ozone, along with enforcement protocols. The EPA's approval would make these regulations federally enforceable, aligning with the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances previously submitted for premanufacture notices. These rules, known as Significant New Use Rules (SNURs), will require any person planning to manufacture or process these chemicals in a way that has been identified as a significant new use to notify the EPA at least 90 days before starting. This allows the EPA to assess the potential risks and decide on any necessary actions before the activity begins. Additionally, the chemicals must not be manufactured or processed for these new uses until they receive EPA approval.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has received a request from the U.S. Navy to renew an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). This renewal allows for the incidental taking of marine mammals during the construction needed for relocating NOAA research vessels at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. The activities are nearly identical to those already analyzed in an existing authorization and the renewal will allow continuation for up to another year. NMFS has preliminarily determined that the proposed actions will not have a significant impact on marine mammals and seeks additional public comments before making a final decision.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice that provides updates on the receipt and status of various chemical notices and reports under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for November 2020. The notice lists the types of submissions received, such as Premanufacture Notices (PMNs), Significant New Use Notices (SNUNs), and Microbial Commercial Activity Notices (MCANs), and highlights the EPA's ongoing review process. Under the amended TSCA, the EPA is required to publish specific information and determinations regarding new chemical substances. The information is also available on the EPA website and updated weekly for public access.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved two new methods to test contaminants in drinking water, as outlined in a rule published in the Federal Register. This action permits public water systems and related agencies to use these alternative methods, offering more flexibility and potentially lowering monitoring costs without compromising public health. The approved methods, effective January 16, 2025, are EPA Method 537.1 for detecting selected PFAS chemicals and the e-sens Automated Micro Chlorine Detection Method for measuring free and total chlorine. These alternative methods are considered as effective as existing methods and are added as options for compliance under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to the Murphy Exploration and Production Company for activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This LOA allows the company to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals while conducting geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities. The authorization is based on specific regulations ensuring any impact on marine life is negligible, and it includes mitigating measures like monitoring and reporting. The survey is planned to last seven days within designated areas and is expected to comply with all applicable rules regarding the protection of marine mammals.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a change to the Washington State Implementation Plan, removing a ban on small recreational fires in Thurston County. This ban, which was mistakenly added in 2013, covered fires using seasoned firewood or charcoal, commonly seen in backyards and campfires. The EPA confirmed that removing the ban won't harm air quality in the area. This update allows recreational fires in specific cities and surrounding areas within Thurston County, effective February 18, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the information collection request related to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for inorganic arsenic emissions from glass manufacturing plants. This extension, already approved until February 2025, allows for additional public comments until March 31, 2025. The EPA will continue collecting information to ensure these plants comply with environmental regulations, impacting around 16 glass manufacturing facilities. The estimated annual cost for compliance is $470,000, including maintenance expenses updated for inflation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new rule to list the bleached sandhill skipper, an insect subspecies from Humboldt County, Nevada, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. The listing is due to threats from climate change and groundwater pumping affecting its habitat. The agency invites public comments until March 10, 2025, and will conduct a public hearing if requested. The rule would extend protections to the species, although a critical habitat designation is not yet determined.