The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has announced its Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan in response to extensive public interest and input the Agency has received over the past year. PFAS are manmade chemicals used in a wide range of products because of their ability to repel water, grease, and oil. The Action Read More
Author: TheUpdateStaff
Public Hearings Scheduled for Proposed New WOTUS Definition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) are moving forward with the next steps in proposing a new definition of the “Waters of the United States” rule, also known as WOTUS. The USEPA and the Army will hold a public hearing on the proposed new WOTUS in Kansas City, Kansason Read More
MN to Update Contaminants of Emerging Concern Process
The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Health Risk Assessment Unit is updating its processes for selecting contaminants to develop health-based guidance values in the Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Initiative. The process change is designed to increase stakeholder engagement and overall transparency in the nomination and selection process. The work of this initiative helps MDH Read More
Public Hearing Scheduled on Proposed Amendment of MT Water Quality Standards
The Montana Board of Environmental Review and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a public hearing in February to consider proposed amendments to the state’s water quality standards. The hearing is scheduled on February 5, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 111 at the Metcalf building at 1520 East Sixth Street in Helena. Amendments Read More
Proposed WOTUS Definition Clarifies Federal Authority
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) have proposed an updated definition of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. “Our proposal would replace the Obama EPA’s 2015 definition with one that respects the limits of the Clean Water Read More
Federal Lead Exposure Action Plan Released
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) have released the Federal Lead Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (Lead Action Plan). “The Federal Lead Action Plan will enhance the Trump Administration’s efforts to identify and reduce lead contamination while Read More