EPA proposed to promulgate an aquatic life designated use that includes propagation and protective water quality criteria for dissolved oxygen for Zone 3, Zone 4, and upper Zone 5 of the Delaware River. 

In re: Mallinckrodt PLC, No. 20-12522 (D. Del. Dec. 4, 2023). A proposed settlement agreement grants the United States an allowed unsecured claim against a settling CERCLA defendant on behalf of DOI in the amount of $56,880,784, and for EPA in the amount of $499,216, for past costs and future liability as a potential liable party at the Sangamo Electric Dump/Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Site. 

United States v. Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC, No. 1:22-cv-00303 (N.D. Ill. Dec. 7, 2023). Under a proposed consent decree, a settling RCRA defendant that allegedly violated various hazardous waste management requirements at five of its facilities must comply with extensive measures to assure its facilities do not manage used parts washing solvent that is subject to regulation as hazardous waste and pay civil penalties totaling $1,162,500.

United States v. TCI Pacific Communications LLC, No. 23-4218 (C.D. Ill. Dec. 5, 2023). Under a proposed consent decree, a settling CERCLA defendant must pay a total of $368,831.16 in EPA’s response costs and perform remedial work with respect to Operable Unit 4 of the DePue/New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical Corp. Superfund Site in DePue, Illinois. 

United States v. Wyeth Holdings LLC, No. 2:23-cv-22922 (D.N.J. Dec. 6, 2023). Under a proposed consent decree, a settling CERCLA defendant that allegedly released hazardous substances at or from the American Cyanamid Superfund Site in Somerset County, New Jersey, causing injury to floodplains, riparian areas, and wetlands adjacent to the site and the biota supported by these habitats, must undertake and fund the “Duke Farms Forested Floodplain Restoration Project,” which will restore 112 areas of former farmland located upstream of the site on the Raritan River to a natural habitat, as well as pay for assessment and oversight costs.

EPA approved Texas’ revisions to its Public Water System Supervision program that adopted the Agency’s drinking water rules for the Revised Total Coliform Rule and Ground Water Rule.

EPA proposed to establish new and revised human health water quality criteria for certain pollutants in the state of Florida. 

United States v. Chattanooga, City of, No. 1:12-cv-00245 (E.D. Tenn. Dec. 3, 2023). A proposed modification to an existing consent decree concerning a settling CWA defendant’s alleged violations with respect to the city's POTWs extends certain deadlines to achieve compliance with the consent decree while adding significant remedial projects that must be completed within five years. 

EPA proposed revisions to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for lead and copper under the SDWA, including requiring water systems to replace lead service lines, remove the lead trigger level, reduce the lead action level to 0.010 mg/L, and strengthen tap sampling procedures.

EPA announced the availability of the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics, developed by the Agency, USDA, and FDA to help prevent the loss and waste of food, where possible, increase recycling of food and other organic materials to support a more circular economy for all, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save households and businesses money, and build cleaner and healthier communities.