NMFS proposed to modify the regulations for Marine Mammal Protection Act §104 permits, including scientific research, enhancement, photography, and public display permits and letters of confirmation.

United States v. Dow Silicones Corp., No. 19-11880 (E.D. Mich. Apr. 24, 2024). A proposed consent decree modification extends a deadline for a settling CWA defendant’s implementation of a stormwater capacity and pollutant evaluation from January 24, 2023, to January 24, 2026, and also includes requirements to mitigate any environmental harm associated with the extension of the deadline.

EPA revised the water quality standards (WQS) regulation under the CWA to add requirements for states establishing WQS in waters where tribes hold and assert rights to CWA-protected aquatic and aquatic-dependent resources reserved through treaties, statutes, or executive orders.

EPA entered into a proposed settlement agreement under the CAA in Nevada Cement Co., LLC v. EPA, Nos. 23-682 and 23-1098 (9th Cir.), that would establish a process and deadlines by which plaintiff would apply to EPA for a case-by-case emissions limit request for its Fernley, Nevada, facility, in exchange for agreeing to lift a judicial stay. 

SIP Approval: New Hampshire (revisions to establish nitrogen oxide reasonably available control technology requirements for coal-fired cyclone boilers). 

SIP Proposal: California (revisions to San Diego County Air Pollution Control portion of plan to expand existing provision that exempts tub grinders and trommel screens that process green material from permit requirements to include horizontal grinders and processing of mixtures of green material and food material). 

SIP Approval: New Hampshire (amendments to motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program regulation).

EPA proposed to approve a CAA §111(d)/129 state plan submitted by South Carolina for implementing and enforcing the emissions guidelines applicable to existing commercial and industrial solid waste incineration units. 

EPA finalized national primary drinking water regulations for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS); the Agency also finalized a Hazard Index of 1 as the maximum contaminant level goal and maximum contaminant level for any mixture containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS.

NOAA announced the availability of final evaluation findings for seven state and territory coastal management programs and four national estuarine research reserves under the CZMA.