https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-introduces-solution-to-shield-wa-fishermen-from-unnecessary-costs-delays
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Fishing and Small Vessel Relief Act (S.2194) to extend protections for fishermen and small vessel owners from adhering to costly requirements that do not tangibly protect or improve water quality for vessels of their size. An EPA study found that incidental discharges from these small vessels do not generate a significant threat to our waters.
The bill will extend a current moratorium that exempts fishing vessels and vessels under 79 feet from incidental discharge permitting requirements mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These vessels have been continuously exempt since 2008 under a temporary moratorium as they do not pose a serious environmental risk.
“Fishermen are key drivers of Washington state’s growing economy. We need their boats out fishing, not bogged down by regulations meant for large vessels like oil tankers,” said Cantwell.
Cantwell’s science-based legislation brings stability to small vessel owners who have been at unease due to an impending December 18th expiration of the current moratorium. More than 115,000 small vessels nation-wide would receive relief under the Cantwell legislation. Commercial fishing boats make up the bulk of the protected vessels, but many research vessels, tour boats, tugboats, towboats, and offshore supply boats would also qualify.
The EPA’s vessel incidental discharge permitting requirements are intended to prevent water pollution and the spread of invasive species through release of bilge water, ballast, and other discharges. These regulations are critical to safeguard the environment from large vessels, who are more likely to carry pollutants and run a greater risk of introducing invasive species. Vessel discharge from smaller vessels does not pose a serious environmental risk.
VETERANS: Senator Murray Slams President Trump For Gutting Successful Program to Combat Veteran Homelessness
Press release issued 12/ 6/ 17https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=63B9CE52-C312-40F4-9012-CBDE10BE6659
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of both the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, sharply criticized President Trump after VA Secretary David Shulkin announced steps to undermine a key program to combat veteran homelessness by stripping away essential funds for supportive services. Known as HUD-VASH, the program helps veterans across the country by providing housing vouchers that combine rental assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Since 2008, when Senator Murray helped restart HUD-VASH, the program has helped more than 100,000 homeless veterans.
Last month, Senator Murray and every member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee overseeing spending related to veterans wrote a letter to VA Secretary Shulkin expressing serious concern over any changes to funding and its potential impacts to critical veteran programs, specifically citing the successful HUD-VASH program.
“President Trump has taken a lot of reckless steps over the past year, but by turning his back on homeless veterans, President Trump has hit a new low,” Senator Murray said. “I strongly believe this country has a responsibility to care for the brave men and women who served our country, and as I’ve stated for years, if VA needs additional resources or better policy, I’m always ready to figure out bipartisan solutions. But simply pulling the rug out from under a successful program—leaving veterans and those providing them housing and supportive services in the lurch-- is mean-spirited and wrong, and I will fight this change with every tool I have. The decision to shift money away from the supportive services veterans urgently need is especially callous and perplexing on the same day that the Administration released data showing a nationwide increase in the number of homeless veterans since last year.”
Page 2: OUR PARKS & FOREST
WTAS: President Trump and Secretary Zinke Praised for National Monument Report
What They Are Saying About Secretary Zinke’s final report to President Trump on the National Monument Reviewhttps://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/wtas-president-trump-and-secretary-zinke-praised-national-monument-report
Wall Street Journal: “Over the past few days, thousands have marched in Salt Lake to oppose the decision. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance denounced the order as “the single most harmful attack any president has ever launched on public lands.” The group claims the Trump Administration acted “at the behest of ideological extremists and dirty energy barons,” adding that the decision is “an insult to the tribes that advocated to protect Bears Ears.” Calm down, guys. Most of the two million newly undesignated acres are still public lands, subject to rigorous federal and state protections. The Trump Administration increased Native American representation on the advisory Bears Ears Commission... In other words, the Trump Administration’s order not only ends federal overreach but restores power to local people. That’s a monumental and welcome change.” (editorial: “The Right Move on Monuments” Wall Street Journal, 12-5-17)
Deseret News (Utah): Advocates for shrinking the monument lands, including Utah's all-Republican congressional delegation, heralded Trump's decision as the right fit for Utah. Rep. John Curtis said, "Now that the president has created two new monuments in my congressional district, the time has come for Congress to ensure that these sites are managed the right way. In the coming days, I look forward to introducing legislation to ensure we are just doing that." Rep. Chris Stewart said the Grand Staircase monument has been a burden on his constituents in the area. "President Trump had the courage that no other president had. He listened to local voices that had been left out of the decision-making process for too long," Stewart said. Rep. Rob Bishop, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, called Trump's proclamations "a first step" toward protecting precious areas while respecting the people who live there."The next steps will be to move beyond symbolic gestures of protection and create substantive protections and enforcement and codify in law a meaningful management role for local governments, tribes and other stakeholders," Bishop said. (“Native American tribe coalition to sue Trump for shrinking Bears Ears,” Deseret News (Utah), 12-4-17)
Deseret News (Utah) - Opinion: “I am sure President Donald Trump didn’t realize it, but today, in his shrinking of the two designations made by President Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton, he actually created a more important monument — a monument to the way Utah gets things done. The President listened to the combined voices of individual citizens, tribal members, small communities and elected officials from the county, state and federal levels. He responded to their calls and drastically reduced the size of both the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments. It’s an important moment in Utah history...The changes brought about by the president’s actions were truly the culmination of countless, and often thankless, hours of effort by an army of individuals and groups. Our federal delegation, including Chairman Rob Bishop, Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Orrin Hatch, Rep. Mia Love, Rep. Chris Stewart and former Rep. Jason Chaffetz, all deserve praise and thanks. Their dedicated staffs in Washington and in Utah did much of the hard work and heavy lifting to drive this decision. Gov. Gary Herbert and members of the Utah Legislature worked tirelessly to make today a reality. Committee staff in Washington, along with Secretary Ryan Zinke and his entire team at the Department of Interior, should also receive high praise. The president’s desire to make a difference for the hardworking, and often forgotten, Utahns in our rural counties also played a critical part.” (editorial: “There is no 'I' in Utah,” Deseret News (Utah), 12-4-17)
Americans for Tax Reform: Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist had this to say: "President Trump and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke should be applauded for working to correct past executive overreach by Presidents Obama and Clinton. This is a fight about the use and enjoyment of public lands by the public. The reality is that American outdoorsmen and women have a vested interest in conservation. Compare them to the federal government, which is a frequent abuser of America’s natural beauty, whether it’s polluting the San Juan River in Colorado or extorting the organizers of Burning Man for unnecessary fees in the desert of Nevada.The Trump and Zinke effort to rein in the abuse of the Antiquities Act is extremely important in the fight against radical special interests and bureaucrats. From Presidents Kennedy to Coolidge, Wilson, and Eisenhower, Presidents have scaled back federal monuments 18 times in the past. This is a great first step in the march towards restoring property and land use rights of the West." Americans for Tax Reform, 12-4-17)
National Cattlemen's Beef Association: The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council applauded the White House’s announcement that Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments will be reduced in size. Dave Eliason, president of the Public Lands Council said, “Previous administrations abused the power of the Antiquities Act, designating huge swaths of land as national monuments without any public input or review. Rural communities in Utah and across the West have paid the price. Sweeping designations locked up millions of acres of land with the stroke of a pen, undermining local knowledge and decimating rural economies.” Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said, “We are grateful that today’s action will allow ranchers to resume their role as responsible stewards of the land and drivers of rural economies. Going forward, it is critical that we reform the Antiquities Act to ensure that those whose livelihoods and communities depend on the land have a voice in federal land management decisions.” (Cattlemen Respond to National Monument Reductions: "Egregious Example of Federal Overreach Corrected in Win for Rural Communities", National Cattlemen's Beef Association, 12-4-17)
Washington Post: Trump’s move to shrink the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments by more than 1.1 million acres and more than 800,000 acres, respectively, immediately sparked an outpouring of praise from conservative lawmakers. Gov. Gary R. Herbert of Utah characterized the action as “an opportunity to push a reset button on these areas” and derided as myth “this idea that somehow there will be some wholesale development” on lands removed from the designation. “There is a lot of scaremongering” about future oil derricks and natural gas wells, he said, but “the only thing that smacks of energy is the uranium” that will now become available near Bears Ears and coal near Grand Staircase-Escalante. ("Trump shrinks two huge national monuments in Utah, drawing praise and protests", Washington Post, 12-4-17)
Interior Jumps into the Top Ten Best Places to Work
Press release 12/ 6/ 17https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-jumps-top-ten-best-places-work
WASHINGTON – Last night, the Partnership for Public Service announced its yearly report titled "The Best Places to Work." In the first year under U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, the Department of the Interior (DOI) has improved from 11th place to 9th place among all the large agencies. Secretary Zinke has made improving the work experience a priority while at the Department, and the numbers from the report show a significant jump towards reaching that goal.
"Interior should be hands-down the best place to work in the federal government, and we're going to get there," said Secretary Ryan Zinke. "What kid growing up doesn't look at a Park Ranger, a law enforcement officer, or a paleontologist and say, 'I want to do that when I grow up!'? During my confirmation hearing I pledged to make Interior the best place to work, and I'm happy to see we are already making progress. In the years to come we will reorganize the force to push more resources to the front lines and clean up the culture of harassment and discrimination. Moving from 11th to 9th is a nice step, but I won't be satisfied until we're No. 1."
Federal employee engagement government-wide rose 2.1 points from 2016 for an overall score of 61.5 out of 100—the largest increase in the history of the rankings. These results build on a 2.5-point improvement the previous two years, demonstrating a concerted effort by agencies across government to improve how employees view their leaders and their jobs.
According to bestplacestowork.org, here are a few data points about the Department of the Interior this year:
The Department of the Interior's 2017 employee engagement score is 63.9 out of 100, placing DOI at 9 out of 18 large agencies.
The Department of the Interior's employee engagement score improved by 2.9 points since last year. The government-wide engagement score is 61.5, up 2.1 points from last year. DOI's 2017 score is 2.4 points higher than the government-wide score.
Many issues – from pay to teamwork to strategic management – influence how employees view their workplaces and rate their engagement. Effective leadership was once again the key driver of employee engagement across government in 2017. Employees gave leadership at your agency a score of 55.1 out of 100.
One important question to pay attention to as you review your data is whether your employees think the survey results will be used to make the organization better. At DOI, 34.4 percent of employees believe the results will be used to make improvements.
The website bestplacestowork.org is a subsidiary of the Partnership for Public Service. The group website states that, "The annual Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings are produced by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service. The 2016 rankings include the views of more than 421,000 civil servants from 379 federal organizations on a wide range of workplace topics. Since the first rankings were released in 2003, they have provided a mechanism to hold agency leaders accountable for the health of their organizations; serve as an early warning sign for agencies in trouble; and offer a road-map for improvement."
Secretary Zinke Recommends Keeping Federal Lands in Federal Ownership, Adding Three New Monuments
Press release issuedhttps://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-zinke-recommends-keeping-federal-lands-federal-ownership-adding-three-new
WASHINGTON – Today, in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s April 26, 2017, Executive Order (EO), U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke released the final report outlining recommendations he made to the President on some national monument designations under the Antiquities Act.
Recommendations Secretary Zinke made in the final report included the following:
Keep federal lands federal - the report does not recommend that a single acre of federal land be removed from the federal estate. If land no longer falls within a monument boundary it will continue to be federal land and will be managed by whichever agency managed the land before designation
Add three new national monuments - Secretary Zinke recommended beginning a process to consider three new national monuments: The Badger II Medicine Area (Montana), Camp Nelson (Kentucky), and the Medgar Evers Home (Mississippi).
Modify the boundaries and management of four monuments - Bears Ears, Grand Staircase, Cascade-Siskiyou, and Gold Butte National Monuments
Expand access for hunting and fishing - Maintain an ongoing review to ensure public access to encourage more hunting and fishing in monuments
“America has spoken and public land belongs to the people,” said Secretary Zinke. “As I visited the Monuments across this country, I met with Americans on all sides of the issue -- from ranchers to conservationists to tribal leaders -- and found that we agree on wanting to protect our heritage while still allowing public access to public land. My recommendations to the President reflect that, in some circumstances, proclamations should be amended, boundaries revised, and management plans updated.”
FACT VS FICTION: Antiquities Act and Monument Review
Myth: No president has shrunk a monument.
False: Monuments have been reduced at least eighteen times under presidents on both sides of the aisle. Some examples include President John F. Kennedy excluding Bandelier National Monument, Presidents Taft, Wilson, and Coolidge reducing Mount Olympus National Monument, and President Eisenhower reducing the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in Colorado.
Myth: The monument review will sell/transfer public lands to states.
False: This is not true. The Secretary adamantly opposes the wholesale sale or transfer of public lands. The Antiquities Act only allows federal land to be reserved as a national monument. Therefore, if any monument is reduced, the land would remain federally owned and would be managed by the appropriate federal land management agency, such as the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or the National Park Service (NPS).
Myth: Removing the monument designation from land will leave Native American artifacts and paleontological objects subject to looting or desecration.
False: This is not true. Whether these resources are found on land designated as a monument, national forest, BLM- managed public land, or other federal land, it is generally illegal to remove or disrupt these resources without a permit issued by the federal government.
Myth: The monument review will close/sell/transfer national parks.
False: No national parks are under review.
Myth: The review was done without meeting advocates for national monuments.
False: The Secretary visited eight monuments in six states and personally hosted more than 60 meetings attended by hundreds of local stakeholders. Attendees included individuals and organizations representing all sides of the debate ranging from environmental organizations like the Wilderness Society and the Nature Conservancy to county commissioners and, residents, and ranchers who prefer multiple use of the land.
Myth: Tribal Nations were not consulted.
False: This is patently false. Before traveling to Utah, the Secretary met with Tribal representatives in his office. On his first day in Utah in May, the Secretary met with the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition in Salt Lake City, for just under two hours. Throughout the four-day survey of the Utah monuments, the Secretary also met with local Tribal representatives who represent different sides of the debate. The Secretary also met with Tribal representatives for their input on several other monuments from Maine to New Mexico to Oregon and everywhere in between. Additionally, the Department hosted several Tribal listening sessions at the Department and across the country, including a four hour session with the Acting Deputy Secretary on May 30th.
AT THE STATE LEVEL
WDFW: Give the gift of outdoor adventure this holiday season
Press release issued 12/ 1/ 17http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/dec0117a/
OLYMPIA — Holiday shoppers can give family and friends the gift of outdoor adventure with the purchase of Washington hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and vehicle-access passes to millions of acres of state wildlife land.
Other gift ideas from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) include wildlife-themed license plates, books, and guidance on how to create your own backyard bird sanctuary.
Although the new license year doesn't begin until April 1, 2018, many hunters and fishers like to have their license in hand and be ready for the new season, said Peter Vernie, WDFW licensing manager.
"It's always great to be prepared when the new season arrives," Vernie said. "Fishing and hunting licenses are gifts that last the whole year."
Gift giving options from WDFW include:
2018 Fishing and Hunting Licenses (valid Apr. 1, 2018–Mar. 31, 2019): Recreational fishing and hunting licenses are available for purchase this month by telephone at 1-866-246-9453, at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, or at hundreds of WDFW license vendors across the state (http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/). License fees vary by type, but some of the most popular can be purchased in the $30 to $50 range. An annual freshwater fishing license for Washington residents is $29.50, while a deer-hunting license for state residents is $44.90.
Discover Passes (valid for one year from the issue date): A Discover Pass (also available at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov) offers motor-vehicle access to millions of acres of Washington state-managed recreation lands, including state parks, water access points, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads. The state Discover Pass is available online for $35, and also at fishing and hunting license dealers. Holders of annual hunting and fishing licenses do not need a Discover Pass to access lands managed by WDFW, because they receive a free Vehicle Access Pass with their license.
Wildlife-themed license plates: Wildlife-themed license plates for motor vehicles—including those with images of a steelhead, bald eagle, orca whale, elk, mule deer, or black bear—are available for purchase at an additional cost to regular vehicle-licensing fees. Proceeds from the special license plates go to management of wildlife species. Personalized license plates are also available, with a choice of up to seven letters or numbers not already in use. Personalized license plate proceeds help support management of non-hunted wildlife species. A personalized license plate can be combined with any background. Purchasing information is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/license_plates/.
WDFW books: "Living with Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest" is a 392-page guide to living with a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, available for $25; and "Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest" is a 320-page guide to creating wildlife-friendly gardens, available for $25. The books may be purchased at retail book outlets; additional purchasing information is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/book/.
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary certification: Learn how to create year-round habitat for birds and other wildlife. For $10, qualified recipients receive a designation sign, a certificate and an e-subscription to a monthly newsletter. Visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/backyard/ for details.
Board of Natural Resources Authorizes New Park Land for San Juan County; Board also approves removing offensive name from creek in Okanogan County
Press release issued 12/ 5/ 17https://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/board-natural-resources-authorizes-new-park-land-san-juan-county-board-also-approves-removing
At its monthly meeting today the state Board of Natural Resources gave the go-ahead to sell 103 acres of state land to San Juan County. The county plans to add the parcel, located on the north end of Lopez Island, to its current Odlin County Park.
The county has leased the property since 2011 when the state legislature paid the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) $1.1 million for a 50-year lease with a lessee purchase option — those proceeds were used to fund public school construction statewide. With today’s action, the county will own the parcel outright once it reimburses the Common School Real Property Replacement Account $194,000 for the remaining fair market value of the property. DNR received the former U.S. military property in two transactions with the federal government in 1959 and 1960.
“This is a win-win for Washington state and San Juan County. We are more than doubling the footprint of a popular park on Lopez Island and also funding the Common School Trust, which builds facilities for public schools statewide,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, who also chairs the Board of Natural Resources.
“Through the dedicated efforts of Commissioner Franz and the Department of Natural Resources, numerous citizens, local public officials and the San Juan County Land Bank, we gain more parkland and public open space for county residents and visitors to enjoy,” said Rick Hughes, San Juan County Council chair, following the board’s approval of the transaction.
“This valuable addition to our county’s park system creates more places for people to enjoy low-impact recreation while preserving a unique natural environment,” said Jamie Stevens, San Juan County councilmember representing Lopez Island.
Page 3: ENVIRONMENTAL DIGEST
EPA backs Colorado’s plan to improve water quality with $24.9 million in water infrastructure funding
Press release issued 12/ 7/ 17https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-backs-colorados-plan-improve-water-quality-249-million-water-infrastructure-funding
DENVER (Dec. 7, 2017) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded approximately $10.6 million in clean water infrastructure and $14.3 million in drinking water state revolving loan funding (SRF) to the state of Colorado to support key water infrastructure projects, including new and upgraded wastewater and drinking water plants to ensure clean drinking and surface water, better serve residents, increase efficiency and reduce pollution.
“Investing in our nation’s water infrastructure is one of EPA’s most fundamental priorities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Doug Benevento. “These projects will ensure that the state and its communities are providing clean and safe water to all the residents of Colorado.”
"The State Revolving Fund programs are critical for Colorado as they have provided the ability to fund more than $1.2 billion for clean water and $600 million for drinking water infrastructure projects throughout the state”, said Pat Pfaltzgraff, Director of the Water Quality Control Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “The SRF programs continue to help offset the $12 billion dollar funding gap and provide low cost, affordable financing to protect public health and the environment in Colorado."
In addition to the $24.9 million just funded, Colorado’s water infrastructure projects are also funded with state match, repayments from prior SRF loans, and interest earnings. Several projects targeted for wastewater treatment as well as drinking water SRF loans include:
$58m for an intake structure, raw water piping, a water treatment plant, pump station, and distribution lines in the Breckenridge.
$2.5 m to replace existing water system storage capacity and removing existing failing water storage tanks from service in Bennett.
$2.3 m for a centralized blending system to connect two new wells, and six existing wells to a central location; including transmission mains, ground storage tank, control system, and distribution system upgrades in Burlington.
$1.6 m in Grand Lake for water treatment improvements and the purchase and installation of water meters.
$1.4m in Lamar to replace the distribution and service pipelines along with associated appurtenances.
$1.5m for a UV disinfection at the existing water treatment plant and adding backup power at the water treatment plant as well as the water galleries in Salida.
$1m in Oak Creek to replace 1700lf 6-12" water main, hydrants, service lines, curb and gutter, meter pits along Hwy 131 including new 6" overlay.
$500k in Cedaredge for construction of new distribution lines and distribution line replacement.
$483k in Eads for well improvements, raw water transmission line replacement, distribution system line replacement, disinfection contact piping, fire hydrants, valves, and associated appurtenances.
$61m to the City of Durango to upgrade the secondary treatment processes of the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant to address capacity issues and to meet effluent requirements.
$43m to the City of Evans to construct a new lift station, force main and new consolidated wastewater treatment facility.
$6.6m to the Town of Bennett to construct a new mechanical wastewater treatment facility to replace the existing lagoon system.
$3.2m to the Academy Water and Sanitation District to install a new lift station and force main to consolidate with Donola Water and Sanitation District and decommission the Academy Water and Sanitation District Wastewater Treatment Facility.
$2.5m to update the existing treatment facility in Crested Butte and provide required process tank redundancy, replace the existing UV disinfection system, replace the mechanical bar screen, and construct an oxidation ditch.
$2m to the Town of Nederland to construct wastewater treatment facility upgrades, new dewatering building, and new aerobic digester.
$720k to the City of Las Animas for replacement of deteriorating sanitary sewer collection piping segments, manholes, and associated appurtenances.
$650k to the Hi-Land Acres Water and Sanitation District to decommission the existing lagoon system and repair/replacement of existing collection lines. Construct a connection and consol consolidation between Hi-Land Acres Water and Sanitation District and an adjacent system
$320k to the Larimer County – Wonderview Condos Association to enhance and replace the collection system.
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program is a federal-state partnership that provides communities a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects. The CWSRF program provides low interest loans for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and other projects vital to protecting and improving water quality in rivers, lakes and streams for drinking water, recreation and natural habitat. The loans help communities keep water and sewer rates more affordable while addressing local water quality problems. https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program is a federal-state partnership to help ensure safe drinking water. Created by the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) the program provides financial support to water systems and to state safe water programs. https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf
EPA Proposes to Remove the Hatheway & Patterson Superfund Site from the National Priorities List
Press release issued 12/ 7/ 17https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-remove-hatheway-patterson-superfund-site-national-priorities-list
Boston – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed that the Hatheway & Patterson superfund site, located in Mansfield and Fox borough, Massachusetts, be deleted from the National Priorities (Superfund) List. Deletion of sites from the NPL may occur once all response actions are complete and all cleanup goals have been achieved. EPA will collect public comment on the proposed deletion from December 1, 2017 to January 3, 2018.
EPA and the State of Massachusetts have concluded that all appropriate Superfund-financed responses under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), have been implemented and that no further cleanup by responsible parties is appropriate for the Site. Moreover, EPA and the State have determined that cleanup actions conducted at the site to date continue to be protective of public health and the environment.
The Federal Docket for the Hatheway & Patterson Superfund Site deletion contains the information to support the deletion. The public is invited to comment by January 3, 2018 on the proposed decision to delete this Site from the NPL. This final deletion is effective February 5, 2018 unless EPA receives adverse comments.
Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-SFUND-2002-0001, online at www.regulations.gov. Follow on-line instructions for submitting comments and viewing the supporting documentation in the Federal Docket. You can also visit the Hatheway & Patterson Superfund Website for further information on submitting comments: www.epa.gov/superfund/hatheway
EPA Announces Additional Public Listening Sessions on Proposed Repeal of Clean Power Plan
Press release issued 12/ 6/ 17https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-additional-public-listening-sessions-proposed-repeal-clean-power-plan
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold three additional public listening sessions on the proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan in San Francisco, Calif., Gillette, Wyo. and Kansas City, Mo.
“Due to the overwhelming response to our West Virginia hearing, we are announcing additional opportunities for the public to voice their views to the Agency,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.
Public listening sessions will be on EPA’s proposed repeal of the Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (commonly known as the Clean Power Plan). Dates and specific locations will be released in coming weeks; please see the website for details. All persons wanting to speak are encouraged to register in advance.
“The Trump administration is listening to the people of Wyoming,” said U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW). “Today’s announcement that the EPA will hold a listening session in Gillette, on the impacts of the so-called ‘Clean Power Plan,’ demonstrates the administration’s commitment to hear directly from the people who would have been hurt most by this punishing regulation. The Clean Power Plan would have meant lost jobs for energy workers in Gillette and across Wyoming. I am thankful to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt for his leadership on this important issue.”
Registration information will be posted at: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/electric-utility-generating-units-repealing-clean-power-plan
Oral comments and supporting information presented at each session will be included in the docket for this proceeding.
Written comments about EPA’s proposal must be received by the last day of the comment period, January 16, 2018. Comments should be identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355 and may be submitted by one of the methods listed on the Clean Power Plan Proposed Repeal: How to Comment web page.
Background:
Soon after the previous Administration issued the Clean Power Plan in 2015, 150 entities including 27 states, 24 trade associations, 37 rural electric co-ops, and three labor unions challenged the CPP, highlighting a range of legal and technical concerns. A few months later, the United States Supreme Court stayed the CPP, immediately halting implementation—the first time the Supreme Court had ever issued a stay to block the enforcement of a regulation.
On March 28, 2017, Administrator Pruitt signed a notice indicating the EPA’s intent to review the Clean Power Plan, in accord with the President’s Energy Independence Executive Order. On October 16, the EPA proposed to repeal the Clean Power Plan, proposing that it is not consistent with the Clean Air Act. EPA is now taking comment on that proposal and has extended the public comment period to January 16, 2018.
AT THE STATE LEVEL
DOE: Stage 1 burn ban extended and expanded in Eastern Washington counties
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2017/089.htmlSPOKANE – Stagnant weather conditions are expected to continue in Central and Eastern Washington, prompting the Washington Department of Ecology to extend and expand the Stage 1 burn ban.
Starting Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, at 9 a.m., the burn ban will be expanded to include Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties, and the burn ban will continue in Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, and Okanogan counties.
In an effort to prevent poor air quality, the burn ban, which had been set to expire Dec. 6, will remain in effect until further notice.
Under a Stage 1 ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited including residential, agricultural and forest burning. Use of uncertified wood stoves, fireplaces, inserts, and other uncertified wood-burning devices is prohibited unless they are a home’s only adequate source of heat. Certified wood stoves, pellet stoves and other certified wood-burning devices are allowed.
Call 866-211-6284 if you think someone is illegally burning or you are impacted by smoke.
Up-to-date burn ban information is available at www.waburnbans.net.
Ecology’s burn bans do not apply on tribal reservations, where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has jurisdiction. Call 800-424-4372 for tribal burn ban information or visit EPA’s Washington Burn Ban page on their website.
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Daily Bible Verse: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6 NKJV
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