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.

FWS determined threatened species status under the ESA for the silverspot butterfly from Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, and issued a rule under §4(d) under the Act to provide for the conservation of the species. 

NMFS listed the queen conch as a threatened species under the ESA. 

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. 

FWS announced a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Kings River pyrg as endangered or threatened under the ESA, finding that the petitioned action may be warranted and initiating a status review. 

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.