News Administration Repeals 2015 Clean Water Rule Defining “Waters of the United States” This week, EPA and the Department of the Army published a final rule to repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule: Definition of “Waters of the United States” (“2015 Rule”), which amended portions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and to restore… Read More »
News and Updates
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 30 (Week of August 19, 2019)
News Office of Water Policy for Draft Documents The Office of Water issued a policy for managing draft documents this week. EPA often issues guidance and policy documents related to the national program. In some cases, the Office of Water has issued these documents in draft form but not taken steps to issue them timely… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 29 (Week of August 12, 2019)
News EPA Pre-Publication Version: Updating Regulations on Water Quality Certification The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is publishing for public comment a pre-publication version of a proposed rule providing updates and clarifications to the substantive and procedural requirements for water quality certification under Clean Water Act (CWA or the Act) section 401. According to EPA, The… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 28 (Week of August 5, 2019)
News USACE Issues RGL “Time Frames for Clean Water Section 401 Water Quality Certifications and Clarification of Waiver of Responsibility”. On August 7, the Corps of Engineers issued a Regulatory Guidance Letter, “Timeframes for Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certifications and Clarification of Waiver Responsibility”. The policies contained in it are reflective of… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 27 (Week of July 29, 2019)
News EPA Solicits Comments on Aluminum Criteria Implementation Guidance The EPA released the Draft Technical Support Document: Implementing the 2018 Recommended Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Aluminum, for public comment. This document was created to support the adoption and implementation of the updated aquatic life ambient water quality criteria for aluminum, which was released… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 26 (Week of July 22, 2019)
News Farmer Fairness Act On Thursday, July 18, 2019 Representatives Ro Khanna (CA) and Mark Pocan (WI) introduced a bill which would extend the environmental liability under the CWA beyond CAFO farmers, to the integrator companies that hire them. Large companies like Tyson, Purdue, Cargill, Smithfield, JBS, Dairy Farmers of America, etc. will hire contract… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 25 (Week of July 15, 2019)
News EPA Announces $218 Million Water Infrastructure Loan to Silicon Valley Clean Water EPA announced a $218 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW) to finance wastewater infrastructure upgrades that will protect public health and the San Francisco Bay. With EPA’s WIFIA loan, SVCW’s Regional Environmental Sewer… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 24 (Week of July 8, 2019)
News OECA Finalizes Memorandum to Enhance Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Partnerships with States In January 2018, OECA issued an Interim Guidance that discussed improving collaboration between the EPA and states on enforcement and compliance assurance. Over the last 18 months EPA has gained experience implementing this interim guidance and has taken public comment on the… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 23 (Week of June 24, 2019)
News CEQ Issues Draft NEPA GHG Guidance The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued draft guidance clarifying the treatment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in environmental impact reviews of federal projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). CEQ is accepting comment July 20, 2019. The new guidance replaces Obama administration guidance that… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 22 (Week of June 17, 2019)
News Idaho Conservation League Denied Review This week EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) issued a decision supporting EPA’s acceptance of Idaho DEQ’s interpretation of mixing zone regulations. In the petition, Idaho Conservation League requested review of EPA NPDES permit for the City of Sandpoint wastewater treatment facility. In particular, the Idaho Conservation League objected to… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 21 (Week of June 10, 2019)
News Senate EPW Committee Holds WOTUS Hearing This week, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on the definition of Waters of the United States in the Clean Water Act. The hearing included testimony and Q&A from Todd Fornstrom, a farmer and President of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, Doug C.… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 20 (Week of June 3, 2019)
News EPA issues CWA Section 401 Guidance Today, June 7, 2019, EPA released guidance for states, tribes, and federal agencies, titled Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Guidance for Federal Agencies, States, and Authorized Tribes. The guidance clarifies the existing Section 401 regulations and provides recommendations on coordination between federal agencies, states, and authorized tribes. The… Read More »
