The Ninth Circuit affirmed in part and vacated in part a district court's preliminary injunction limiting wolf trapping and snaring in certain parts of Montana to January 1, 2024, through February 15, 2024. Nonprofit groups argued Montana's laws authorizing recreational wolf and coyote trapping and ...
The Ninth Circuit granted the Biden Administration's mandamus petition to dismiss an ongoing climate change lawsuit brought by 21 young people. Plaintiffs initially argued that the U.S. government, by failing to adequately respond to the threat of climate change, violated a "right to a stable climat...
The Fifth Circuit rejected an environmental group's challenge to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's (LDEQ's) decision to issue preconstruction permits for a liquefied natural gas export facility in Cameron Parish. The group sought to have LDEQ's decision vacated, arguing the facilit...
The First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and NMFS in a challenge to BOEM's approval for construction of a wind power project off the coast of Massachusetts. A group of Nantucket residents argued NMFS violated the ESA by issuing a deficient biologic...
The First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for NMFS in a challenge to the Service's issuance of an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) for construction of a wind power project off the coast of Massachusetts. A part-time Martha's Vineyard resident argued NMFS' determination that the IHA, which...
The D.C. Circuit denied environmental groups' petition to review FERC's certification of an interstate natural gas pipeline expansion project. The groups argued FERC violated NEPA by failing to consider the full scope of the project's environmental effects because the EIS did not include four other ...
The Department of Environmental Quality proposed amendments to regulations governing permit requirements for solid waste facilities. The amendments would, among other things, revise rule references, specify financial information submission requirements for local governments, allow electronic permit applications, and ensure compliance with specific requirements for commercial solid waste disposal facility permits. Comments are due May 31, 2024.
The Department of Environmental Quality proposed amendments to regulations governing financial assurance for solid waste facilities. The amendments would clarify that financial assurance is required for all solid waste facilities under certain conditions and add language giving the director of the Division discretion to require financial assurance for other facility types if necessary. Comments are due May 31, 2024. See https://rules.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/b20240501.pdf (pp.
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) proposed amendments to regulations governing the Rural Water Assistance Fund. The amendments would implement legislation, clarify the method in which interest rates will be set for loans funded by sources other than bond proceeds, provide consistency with the TWDB’s general financial assistance programs' rules, and clarify borrower requirements. Comments are due May 27, 2024.
The Department of Environmental Protection announced the availability of a draft general permit for painting of the interior of finished water storage tanks by community water systems. Comments are due May 28, 2024. See https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/secure/pabulletin/data/vol54/54-17/54-17.pdf (pp. 2327-28).