EPA Region 4 reissued the NPDES general permit for existing and new sources and new dischargers in the offshore subcategory of the oil and gas extraction point source category located and discharging to the outer continental shelf of the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
The Department of Environmental Protection adopted a new rule governing cooling water intake structures.
EPA seeks comment on draft guidance to clarify and inform future NPDES permitting actions for communities with combined sewer systems.
would amend §404 of the FWPCA to codify certain regulatory provisions relating to nationwide permits for dredged or fill material.
would amend the FWPCA relating to grants for beach monitoring.
The Department of Environmental Quality proposed to adopt a new Section 303(d) List of Impaired Water Bodies. The new list would replace the previous version and identify waters within the state for which recent monitoring and assessment have found pollutant specific impairment and for which TMDLs are not yet completed. A hearing will be held March 18, 2024. See https://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACProposed/00027351a.pdf.
United States v. Lowell, Massachusetts, City of, No. 1:24-cv-10290 (D. Mass. Feb. 5, 2024). Under a proposed consent decree, a settling CWA defendant that allegedly engaged in unpermitted and illegal discharges from its wastewater collection system and small municipal separate storm sewer system must take measures necessary to achieve and maintain compliance and pay a $200,000 civil penalty for past noncompliance.
United States v. Guam Waterworks Authority, No. 04-00004 (D. Guam Jan. 30, 2024). Under a proposed partial consent decree, a settling CWA defendant that discharged excess pollutants from and failed to maintain its wastewater system must implement an estimated $400 million in wastewater collection system improvements and conduct a feasibility study for improvements to the Hagåtña wastewater treatment plant.
United States v. Holly Energy Partners-Operating, L.P., No. 5:24-cv-00107 (W.D. Okla. Jan. 29, 2024). Under a proposed consent decree, settling CWA defendants that allegedly discharged about 300,000 gallons of crude oil into Skull Creek near Cushing, Oklahoma, must pay $7.4 million in civil penalties and perform corrective measures to remedy the violations.
United States v. PotlatchDeltic Land & Lumber, LLC, No. 2:24-cv-00043 (D. Idaho Jan. 24, 2024). Under a proposed consent decree, a settling CWA defendant that violated its NPDES permits related to stormwater discharges from its sawmill and lumberyard facility in St. Maries, Idaho, must pay a $225,000 civil penalty and implement injunctive relief and significant mitigation actions.