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EPA
Releases 2008 Report on the Environment
(posted 6/5/08)
House
Committee Passes Sewage Notification Bill and Other
Water-Related Bills
(posted 6/5/08)
Improvements Announced for Stormwater BMP Database
(posted 6/5/08)
EPA Releases Climate
Change Strategy
(Posted 5/7/08)
OMB Approves Proposed
Water Transfer Rule; Could be Released in May
(Posted 5/7/08)
Farm Bill Negotiations
Between House, Senate Conferees Near Completion
(Posted 5/7/08)
EPA Releases Report on
Wastewater Collection and Wet Weather Treatment
Technologies (Posted 5/7/08)
EPA Tool Helps Communities
Tap into Energy Savings (posted 3/5/08)
EPA Issues Guidebook to Help Water Utilities Improve
Energy Management (posted 2/14/08)
EPA Releases Municipal Wastewater Technology Fact Sheets
(posted 2/14/08)
EPA Issues Additional Guidance to Prevent Stormwater
Pollution at Construction Sites
EPA Announces Workshop to Discuss Endocrine Disruptor
Screening Program
Final Rule on Lead and Copper in Drinking
Water
(posted 10/16/07)
EPA released final guidance on August 27 to help states comply with two major rules issued in December of 2005 to help reduce microbial contaminants and disinfection byproducts in drinking water. The Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR) Implementation Guidance explains how states can help water utilities minimize Cryptosporidium and Giardia that can cause gastrointestinal illness and is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/lt2. The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2 Rule) State Implementation Guidance explains how states can help utilities balance necessary disinfection with potentially dangerous byproducts formed during the process and is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/stage2.
EPA Issues New Water
Quality Trading Toolkit
(posted 8/22/07)
EPA Report Summarizes TMDLs for Stormwater Sources (posted 8/22/07) EPA issued a report summarizing 17 total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) that have been developed for stormwater sources in 16 states during the past eight years. The TMDLs included in the report cover a range of pollutants, models used, and different allocation and implementation methods. The report is intended to help TMDL practitioners, NPDES permitting agencies, and permit holders as they develop and implement new stormwater source TMDLs. According to EPA, sediment, pathogens, nutrients, and metals from stormwater impair thousands of waters in the U.S. The report, Total Maximum Daily Loads with Stormwater Sources: A Summary of 17 TMDLs, is available at: www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/techsupp.html
EPA
Releases Report from its Recreational Water Quality
Criteria Experts Workshop
(posted
8/8/07)
EPA Issues Draft 2007 Science Report on the Environment (Posted 5/21/07) EPA announced in the May 10 Federal Register that it is providing a 45-day public comment period for the draft document titled, EPA's 2007 Report on the Environment: Science Report. The draft Science Report was prepared by EPA Program and Regional Offices, the Office of Research and Development (ORD), the Office of Environmental Information (OEI), the Office of Policy Economics and Innovation (OPEI), and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), with coordination by the National Center for Environmental Assessment within EPA's ORD. The public comment period ends June 25. The FR notice is at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-RESEARCH/2007/May/Day-10/r9022.htm.
EPA and USDA Sign MOU to Protect the Chesapeake Bay (Posted 5/21/07) On May 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining measures for coordination and cooperation among the two agencies in prioritizing and implementing nutrient reduction activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. "Environment and agriculture are teaming up to clean up the Chesapeake like never before," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water. According to EPA, the agreement will better align resources, tools, partners, and actions that will keep farmers producing while accelerating progress toward a healthy Chesapeake Bay. The Memorandum of Understanding is available at http://www.epa.gov/region03/chesapeake/signedmou.pdf.
Water Associations, EPA Release Effective Utility Management Practices Report
(Posted
5/21/07) http://www.wef.org/ScienceTechnologyResources/TechnicalInformation/Projects/EPAUtilityManagement.htm.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued their latest report on wastewater security, Securing Wastewater Facilities: Costs of Vulnerability Assessments, Risk Management Plans, and Alternative Disinfection Methods Vary Widely (GAO-07-480). The 64-page report, released to the public on May 1, contains findings on the costs of preparing vulnerability assessments and risk management plans among large wastewater facilities and on the costs of converting to alternative disinfection methods at large wastewater facilities. A comprehensive methodology review and commentary from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency are also enclosed. The Costs of Converting to Alternative Disinfection Methods section (page-14) contains a noteworthy figure identifying disinfection switching costs for several large wastewater facilities. WEF will be working with the GAO and others to monitor activities on Capital Hill related to chlorine as an issue of national security. A full-text version of the report can be found at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06390.pdf. (MB)
EPA Proposes Not to Regulate 11 Drinking Water Contaminants on Candidate List
(posted
5/11/07)
NGA Challenges EPA on Contaminant Levels for Smaller Water Utilities (posted 5/11/07) In a letter sent last week, the National Governors Association (NGA) criticized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for allowing small utilities to supply drinking water that contains contaminants three times above the regulatory concentration limits set in 2006. In the April 23 letter, the NGA asked EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson to explain how drinking water containing three times the maximum contaminant level (MCL) could be “protective.” The NGA also wanted to know whether EPA’s enforcement office and the Justice Department had considered the impact of allowing such waivers in other programs, especially the Superfund program. The governors requested that EPA explain why it had ignored the National Drinking Water Advisory Council’s recommendation that affordability be defined as 1 percent of median household income on an incremental, rule-by-rule basis. According to EPA, its March 2006 proposed revisions comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 – requiring the Agency to consider the issue of affordability for utilities serving fewer than 10,000 people when drafting drinking water standards. However, the governors attest there should be more scientific data available before states can permit small utilities to supply water containing contaminants at such a magnitude above the federally approved level while claiming it is “protective of public health.” To view the National Governors Association letter, visit http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.cb6e7818b34088d18a278110501010a0/?vgnextoid=81b0904807f12110VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD. To see EPA’s proposed revisions to the guidance, visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsys/affordability.html. (MB)
EPA Announces New Human Health Research Web Site (Posted 3/8/07) EPA announced on March 1 that its Human Health Research Program has launched a new web site with the latest information on its research to protect public health. The program's science looks at such questions as why some people are more sensitive to pollution and how exposure to chemicals affects people's health. The site is designed for the general public as well as for the scientific community. The site contains an overview of EPA research, information on how research has contributed to decision making, resource materials available in journal publications and reports, and a listing of meetings and conferences. The web address is http://www.epa.gov/hhrp.
EPA Announces Decision Not to
Regulate SSIs Under OSWI (Posted
3/2/07)
EPA Announces Revised Aquatic Life Ambient Freshwater Criteria for Copper EPA announced in the February 22 Federal Register the availability of the revised recommended aquatic life ambient freshwater quality criteria for copper. EPA relied on the biotic ligand model (BLM) to derive the revised criteria and stated in the Federal Register that the application of BLM will replace the need for site-specific modifications, such as Water Effect Ratio, to account for site-specific chemistry influences on metal toxicity. According to the new criteria, freshwater aquatic life should be protected if the 24-hour average and four-day average concentrations do not respectively exceed the acute and chronic criteria concentrations calculated by the BLM. A return interval of 3 years between exceedances of the criterion continues to be EPA's general recommendation. EPA first announced intentions to revise the recommended aquatic life criteria for copper in October of 1999. These criteria are EPA's recommendations; however, state and tribal decision makers have the discretion to adopt different approaches on a case-by-case basis. To view the Federal Register notice go to: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2007/February/Day-22/w3007.htm. (SJH) (Posted 3/1/07)
EPA Issues New Stormwater Guide for Evaluating MS4 Programs (posted 2/22/07) The Office of Water published a new Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Evaluation Guide on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stormwater website at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/munic.cfm. Available only on the web, the Guide is designed for use by NPDES authorities to evaluate the quality of Phase I and Phase II MS4 programs. It can be used for comprehensive program evaluations or for certain components of an MS4 program. The document is in Microsoft Word format so that permit program managers can modify it to meet the unique components of their programs. On March 7, the Office of Wastewater Management will hold a free web cast to provide an introduction to the Guide. Registration information will be posted by February 23 on the stormwater website at http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/outreach.cfm?program_id=0&otype=1. (SJH)
WERF Seeking Proposals (posted 2/22/07) The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) announced on February 12 that it is requesting pre-proposals for a long-term, comprehensive program leading to sustainability and self-sufficiency of wastewater and solids treatment. WERF is seeking to address the combined challenges of solids volume reduction, resource recovery, and energy management in order to develop and demonstrate economical and environmentally responsible processes that improve wastewater treatment and solids management operations efficiencies and costs by at least 20%. On February 9 WERF also issued a request for proposals (RFP) for research that would provide biosolids managers and facility owners and operators with the information needed to protect groundwater resources in the vicinity of biosolids land application sites. The research should also provide a compendium of current best management practices for groundwater protection at land application sites. Additional information on both RFPs can be found at http://www.werf.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Funding/OpenRFPs/default.htm. (SJH)
House Science Committee Passes Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Bill (Posted 2/6/07) The House Science and Technology Committee on January 31 passed its first energy-related bill of the year by a unanimous voice vote. H.R. 547, the "Advanced Fuel Infrastructure Research and Development Act," aims to lower the cost for distribution of alternative fuels. The bill directs the Energy Department and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to research ways to use alternative fuels in existing infrastructure, theoretically lowering the cost of bringing those fuels to market. The other major portion of the bill directs DOE and NIST to create an "affordable, portable, quick and accurate way" to test the sulfur content of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. The legislation was offered in response to concerns from fuel distributors that diesel fuel picks up enough sulfur during transport to fail the U.S. EPA mandates for sulfur content. (SJH)
White House Issues Executive Order on Developing Rules and Guidance (Posted 2/6/07) On January 18, the Bush Administration issued an amendment to Executive Order 12866 on Regulatory Planning and Review that imposes new requirements and more specific instructions on how federal agencies draft regulations and guidance documents. It requires agencies to submit guidance documents to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Previously only regulations required their review. On the same day, OMB issued a bulletin to all agencies entitled “Final Bulletin for Agency Good Guidance Practices” that establishes policies and procedures for the development, issuance, and use of “significant” guidance documents. According to a memorandum from OMB Director Rob Portman, the bulletin “is intended to increase the quality and transparency of agency guidance practices and the significant guidance documents produced through them.” The amendment to Executive Order 12866 is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070118.html. The OMB bulletin is at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy2007/m07-07.pdf. (SRT)
EPA Extends Comment
Period for Storm Water General Permits
(Posted 2/6/07)
EPA Public Meeting on Proposed NPDES Permit Fee Incentive Program (Posted 2/6/07) EPA announced in the January 30 Federal Register that it will conduct a public meeting on February 21 on the proposed regulatory revision for the NPDES Permit Fee Incentive for Clean Water Act Section 106 Grants Allotment Formula. This proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on January 4 (72 FR 293. EPA officials will give a presentation on the proposed regulation followed by a public comment session. The meeting will be held from 1:00 - 4 pm EST at EPA Headquarters, EPA East Building in conference room 1153. To view the Federal Register notice, visit: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2007/January/Day-30/w1420.htm. (SJH)
House Water Resources Subcommittee Approves Wastewater Bills (Posted 2/6/07) The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's water panel approved three bills on its markup agenda on January 31, including reauthorization of a key loan program, the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF). The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment passed the "Water Quality Financing Act of 2007," or H.R. 720, which would reauthorize the SRF at $20 billion over 5 years for fiscal years 2008 through 2012. The Subcommittee also approved by voice vote an amendment to H.R. 720 offered by Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) that requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of other potential funding and investment mechanisms and revenue sources for meeting the nation's water infrastructure needs. Also passing the committee was H.R. 569, the "Water Quality Investment Act of 2007," which would authorize $1.8 billion over the next five years for grants that would help municipalities pay for improvements and upgrades to reduce the problem of overflows from sanitary sewer systems and combined systems. The "Healthy Communities Water Supply Act," or H.R. 700, would provide $125 million to fund pilot alternative water supply projects. (SJH)
EPA Finalizes List of Unregulated Contaminants for Monitoring by Drinking Water Systems (1/16/06) On January 4 EPA published the final list of 25 chemicals that must be monitored by public drinking water utilities under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR). Approximately 4,000 utilities will be required to monitor the chemicals during a 12-month period between 2008 and 2010 to provide EPA and other interested parties with data on the occurrence of these contaminants in drinking water. The Agency will use the monitoring data to make determinations on whether or not to regulate these contaminants. EPA is required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to publish a list of contaminants to be monitored every five years. EPA published the first set of contaminants in 1999. Perchlorate is the only contaminant removed from the proposed list, published in August of 2005. Monitoring for perchlorate was conducted during UCMR 1, and EPA agreed with a large number of public comments that the Agency has a valid set of data on perchlorate occurrence and potential exposure. EPA will evaluate exposure and health effects data in order to make a determination on whether or not to regulate perchlorate. The final rule is available at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2007/January/Day-04/w22123.htm (SRT)
EPA Announces Availability of Grants for Beaches and Coastal Areas (1/16/07) This week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of almost $10 million in grants for beach water quality monitoring and public notification programs. According to an EPA press statement, the agency has provided nearly $62 million in the last seven years under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000. Thirty states and five territories are eligible for the grants. The amount of money awarded is based on the length of the beach season, miles of beaches, and number of beachgoers. EPA is focusing efforts on developing new technologies to rapidly analyze beaches for bacteria contamination. "The Bush Administration is committed to keeping America's beaches and Great Lakes shores clean and healthy," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles. "By improving water quality and informing beachgoers, EPA is helping States and communities protect public health and coastal ecosystems and economies." Additional information is available at www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/grants/. (SRT)
EPA Announces New Directors of Research on Water, Human Health, and Ecology (1/16/07) On January 11 EPA announced the selection of four national program directors in the Office of Research and Development. Charles Noss, former deputy executive director at the Water Environmental Research Foundation, will lead the agency’s research on water quality. Audrey Levine, former faculty member of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida in Tampa, will lead research for drinking water, Hugh Tilson will be in charge of human health research, and Rick Linthurst will direct ecological research. They will join four other scientists selected by ORD in 2005 to lead research in air, pesticides and toxics, contaminated sites and resource conservation, and global change and mercury. (SRT)
Incentives Proposed for Clean
Water Permit Fees
(Posted
1/2/07)
USEPA and Friends of the Earth Urge Supreme Court Not to Review TMDL Decision (Posted 12/4/06) On November 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Friends of the Earth, represented by Earthjustice, filed separate briefs with the Supreme Court arguing against review of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit decision in April that the word "daily" means "every day" in the Clean Water Act for total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). The DC Water and Sewer Authority filed a certiorari petition with the Supreme Court July 24 seeking review of the case, and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies submitted an amici curiae brief to the high court. Both argued that the decision places a burden on wastewater utilities, weakens the national TMDL program, and creates a split between appellate circuits on how TMDLs should be expressed. In Natural Resources Defense Council Inc. v. Muszynski, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the term TMDL is open to a broader range of meanings than discharge loads expressed in daily increments.
EPA Recognizes Companies and Individuals for Water Efficiency (Posted 12/4/06) EPA announced on November 27 the winners of a new awards program aimed at recognizing outstanding leadership and innovation in water efficiency. Winners of the first Water Efficiency Leader (WEL) Awards were chosen by a panel of national water experts and based on three criteria: leadership, innovation, and water saved. EPA has developed the WEL Awards in addition to a variety of other initiatives, such as a product labeling program and a national organization to foster water efficiency. The program allows EPA to document best practices, share information, and create a network of water efficiency leaders. Award recipients gain national recognition for their accomplishments, the opportunity to learn from other leaders, and the right to market themselves as recipients of this award. To view the Water Efficiency Leader Awards, visit: http://www.epa.gov/water/wel/. (SJH)
EPA Issues Final Regulation on Application of Pesticides to Waters of the US (Posted 12/4/06) In the November 27 Federal Register, EPA issued a final regulation stating that the application of a pesticide in compliance with relevant requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) does not require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in two specific circumstances. The first circumstance is when the application of the pesticide is made directly to waters of the U.S. to control pests that are present in the water. The second circumstance is when the application of the pesticide is made to control pests that are over or near waters of the U.S. This rulemaking is based on the Agency's interpretation of the definition of the term “pollutant” under the CWA as not including such pesticides. This final rulemaking replaces EPA's previously published Interim and Final Interpretive Statements on the issue. The final regulation is effective on January 26, 2007. To view the Federal Register notice, visit: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/November/Day-27/p20002.htm. (SJH)
EPA announced in the December 1 Federal Register that it has released a final report titled, “An Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S. for the Years 1987, 1995 and 2000” (EPA/600/P-03/002F), which was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD). The purpose of this report is to present a comprehensive inventory and overview of sources and environmental releases of dioxin-like compounds in the United States. The major identified sources of environmental releases of dioxin-like compounds are grouped into six broad categories: combustion sources, metals smelting, refining and process sources, chemical manufacturing sources, natural sources, and environmental reservoirs. The document will be available electronically through the NCEA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. To view the Federal Register notice, visit: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-RESEARCH/2006/December/Day-01/r20294.htm. (SJH)
On November 20, EPA announced the initiation of a new awards program to recognize outstanding leadership in designing or implementing water quality trading programs and policies. The Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards will identify initiatives that have achieved or will achieve environmental and economic benefits and that most closely align with U.S. EPA's Water Quality Trading Policy. The Award is designed to help EPA promote water quality trading and create a network of trading leaders throughout the country. Nominations must be received by January 16, 2007. For more information about the Blue Ribbon Water Quality Trading Awards Program, visit http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading/awards.html. (SRT)
Democrats Elect House and Senate Leaders, Some Committee Posts Decided (posted 11/21/06) The House and Senate Democrats elected their caucus leaders this week, selecting Nancy Pelosi as the first woman Speaker of the House and Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to the post of House Majority Leader. Senate Democrats elected Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) as their Majority Leader and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) Majority Whip. Senate Republicans also elected their leaders, awarding the post of Minority Leader to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and the post of Minority Whip to Senator Trent Lott (R-MS). Senator Reid also indicated that Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) will become Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee when the 110th Congress convenes next year, and that Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) will likely take over as Chair of the Senate Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. With the Democratic House leadership race decided, Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) will likely remain Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Congressman Norm Dicks (D-WA) will likely remain Chair of the House Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, with jurisdiction over EPA’s budget. There was speculation that if Murtha was elected House Majority Leader, Dicks would move into the post of chair of the defense appropriations panel.
Today, Senator Boxer announced the re-organization of the Senate EPW Committee, expanding the number of subcommittees from 4 to 6. The subcommittees and their chairs will be: Subcommittee on Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, Children's Health Protection, and Nuclear Safety, chaired by Boxer herself. Joseph Lieberman (I/D-CT) will head the Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) will chair the Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality. Among other things, that subcommittee has jurisdiction over drinking water, chemical, and wastewater security. Tom Carper (D-DE) will chair the Subcommittee on Clean Air, Nuclear Plant Security, and Community Development. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) will chair the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) will head the Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health. (PS)
EPA Releases Memo on Establishing TMDL “Daily” Loads (posted 11/21/06) In response to a U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit decision in April that the word "daily" means "every day" in the Clean Water Act for total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a memo on November 15 clarifying their expectations for TMDL time increments. In the memo, EPA states that all TMDLs should contain daily limits, but that there is flexibility in how these limits are implemented. “EPA recommends that all future TMDLs and associated load allocations and wasteload allocations be expressed in terms of daily time increments. However, EPA does not believe that the Friends of the Earth decision requires any changes to EPA’s existing policy and guidance describing how a TMDL’s wasteload allocations are implemented in NPDES permits.” In the memo, EPA provides examples demonstrating flexibility in how daily time increments may be expressed in TMDLs. EPA also makes it clear that the development of future TMDLs according to state schedules is the highest priority at this time, not revising already approved TMDLs. EPA expects to release three draft fact sheets on how to apply the flexibility outlined in the memo to actual TMDL development methods sometime next week. WEF has met with EPA to discuss their approach to the court decision and its implications on the TMDL program and has a work group ready to comment on the fact sheets. If you would like a copy of the EPA memo, please e-mail your request to sthomas@wef.org. (SRT)
U.N. Report Reports Proliferation of Dead Zones (Posted 10/25/06) There are about 200 low-oxygen "dead zones" threatening fisheries worldwide, according to a report by U.S. scientists attending a United Nations meeting on marine pollution in China. A primary cause of the problem: nitrogen-rich farm runoff. Algal blooms can also be triggered by nutrients from sewage, animal wastes and atmospheric deposition from the burning of fossil fuels. The best known low-oxygen, or hypoxic, area in the U.S. has spread over more than 6,000 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico. The dead zone emerges each spring and summer, as snowmelt from the Missouri and Atchafalaya rivers reaches the gulf. Other hypoxic areas have appeared off South America, China, Japan, southeast Australia and New Zealand. Robert Diaz, a professor at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, told the U.N. meeting that the full list of new or newly registered dead zones would be available in early 2007. Diaz said the list would include areas in the Archipelago Sea, Finland; the Fosu Lagoon, Ghana; the Pearl River Estuary and the Changjiang River, China; the Mersey Estuary, United Kingdom; the Elefsis Bay, Aegean Sea, Greece; Paracas Bay, Peru; Mondego River, Portugal; Montevideo Bay, Uruguay; and the Western Indian Shelf. The data presented at the Beijing conference shows that nitrogen exports to the marine environment from rivers are expected to rise globally by 14 percent by 2030 when compared with the mid 1990s. To download a copy of the report, visit: http://www.gpa.unep.org/document_lib/en/pdf/report2-webversion_(global_soe).pdf. (SHJ)
EPA Reports Acid Rain Program Success (Posted 10/25/06) EPA released its Acid Rain Program 2005 Progress Report on October 16, marking the 11th year of the program. Since 1995, the program has significantly reduced acid deposition in the United States by decreasing sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. According to EPA, overall compliance with the Acid Rain Program has been consistently high, nearly 100 percent, with no units out of compliance in 2005. In 2005, SO2 emissions from electric power generation were more than 5.5 million tons below 1990 levels. NOx emissions were down by about 3 million tons below 1990 levels. The Acid Rain Progress report summarizes human health and environmental improvements due to the program and includes sections on compliance strategies, surface water quality monitoring, environmental justice, and EPA's framework for accountability. Complete emission and allowance data, as well as atmospheric deposition and air quality maps can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets. To view the Acid Rain Program 2005 Progress Report, visit: http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/cmprpt/arp05. (SJH)
EPA Invites Public Participation in Development of Nanotechnology Program (Posted 10/25/06) This week EPA sent letters to organizations and individuals inviting participation in the design and development of a stewardship program that will help the agency better understand the potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the science of creating or modifying materials at the atomic and molecular level to develop new or enhanced materials and products. The stewardship program will complement the agency's new and existing chemical programs under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). "By bringing people together to address this emerging technology, we can be well positioned to ensure the responsible development of nanotechnology, while at the same time, realizing its promise for a better tomorrow," said Jim Gulliford, assistant administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances at EPA. Development and implementation of this program will include public scientific peer consultations to discuss risk management practices and characterization for nanoscale materials; an overall framework document describing the TSCA program for nanoscale materials; a document on distinguishing the TSCA Inventory status of "new" versus "existing" chemical nanoscale materials; a concept paper describing EPA's thinking for the Stewardship Program; workshops examining the pollution prevention opportunities for nanoscale materials; and a public meeting to discuss these documents and program elements. Additional information about the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program under TSCA is at http://epa.gov/oppt/nano/index.htm. (SRT)
Guide to Disposing of Drinking Water Treatment Plant Waste (Posted 10/25/06) A new guide to help drinking water treatment plants properly dispose of their solid waste by-products is now available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The eight-page guide gives step-by-step recommendations on identifying whether solid waste is hazardous, determining the regulatory status (based on size) of a treatment plant that produces waste, and waste disposal options. It also provides EPA references and websites to learn more about federal regulations regarding solid waste disposal under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. To view the guide, visit: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/pdfs/guide_arsenic_disposalhazardous-nonhazardous.pdf. (SJH)
EPA Requests Nominations for Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (Posted 10/25/06) EPA announced in the October 16 Federal Register that it is requesting nominations of chemical and microbial contaminants for possible inclusion in the third drinking water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 3). EPA is requesting information that shows the nominated contaminant may have an adverse health effect on people and that the contaminan |
