FWS announced findings that listing the gray wolf in the western United States and in the northern Rocky Mountains as endangered or threatened species under the ESA are not warranted at this time.

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. 

FWS announced findings that listing two species—the north Oregon coast distinct population segment of the red tree vole and the Plateau spot-tailed earless lizard—as endangered or threatened species under the ESA is not warranted at this time. 

FWS proposed new regulations to support conservation in the National Wildlife Refuge System by providing refuge managers with a consistent approach for evaluating and implementing management actions to ensure biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health, in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. 

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.  

United States v. Reading, City of, No. 04-05696 (E.D. Penn. Jan. 24, 2024). A proposed amendment to a consent decree extends the deadlines for completing remaining capital improvement projects for a settling CWA defendant that violated its NPDES permits, the CWA, and the Pennsylvania Clean Streams law by discharging pollutants into the Schuylkill River, failed to enforce the requirements of its pretreatment program for industrial users, and failed to properly operate and maintain its wastewater treatment plant and systems. 

EPA approved alternative testing methods for use in measuring the levels of contaminants in drinking water to determine compliance with national primary drinking water regulations under the SDWA.