A district court granted summary judgment for a conservation group in a challenge to the Natural Resource Conservation Service's (NRCS') 2020 rule regarding certification of maps delineating wetlands. The group argued NRCS changed its policy regarding pre-1996 wetland certifications without exercisi...
NOAA proposed to designate marine portions of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Pacific Ocean waters surrounding the Northwest Hawaiian Islands as Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.
A district court granted in part environmental groups' motion for summary judgment in a challenge to various agency actions relating to EPA's approval of the state of Florida's application to assume permitting authority under §404 of the CWA. The groups argued EPA and FWS violated the ESA because n...
The National Science Foundation seeks input to inform the development of an implementation plan to advance a key recommendation of the Ocean Climate Action Plan regarding marine carbon dioxide removal research.
EPA seeks comment on draft guidance to clarify and inform future NPDES permitting actions for communities with combined sewer systems.
The Army Corps of Engineers proposed to establish agency specific procedures for its implementation of principles, requirements, and guidelines for water resources investments in response to congressional direction provided in authorizing language in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020.
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.