On Feb. 24, 蜜桔直播 CEO Steve Sandherr, along with other national business leaders, spoke at a press briefing on the need to streamline the environmental review process for projects that require federal approval in order to unlock American investment in modern, efficient infrastructure while鈥痑dvancing鈥痝ood environmental stewardship. On Feb. 25, 蜜桔直播 presented the same message at the White House Council on Environmental Quality鈥檚 (CEQ) public hearing on proposed regulations out for public comment that would update the rules implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
蜜桔直播 is preparing comments on a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed update to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that would clarify when damage to protected birds would result in criminal charges. The Feb. 3 proposal would codify the Trump administration鈥檚 Solicitor鈥檚 Opinion M-37050 that determined 鈥渋ncidental take鈥 resulting from otherwise lawful action does not violate the Act---and instead would prohibit actions specifically directed at migratory birds, their nests, or their eggs. Currently, construction contractors actively avoid and minimize impacts on migratory birds and implement protective measures outlined by the Service. However, that does not eliminate the risk of severe penalties. For further information on this proposal, click 鈥渓earn more鈥
Save the Date for July 14-16, 2020, in Louisville, KY
On Jan. 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized an 蜜桔直播-supported rule to define 鈥渨aters of the United States鈥 鈥 providing clarity when a federal permit is needed for work in or near federal waters. The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule better identifies federal waters, respects states鈥 primary role in land use and pollution prevention, and balances major case law from the last couple of decades.
Trump Administration Proposal to Reform the Federal Environmental Review Process Will Fix Problems with Current Process While Maintaining Environmental Rigor, Construction Officials Say
On Jan. 9, 蜜桔直播 urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose H.R.535, the PFAS Action Act of 2019. The bill, which is expected for a floor vote on Jan. 10, threatens to derail and overwhelm ongoing efforts at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study PFAS and develop science-based, protective regulations for specific types of PFAS when warranted. 蜜桔直播 further expressed its concern that the bill may result in mandates that put construction contractors unnecessarily at risk of Superfund liability on normal, 鈥渆very day鈥 projects where trace amounts of PFAS may be found in the dirt or groundwater. This bill will open contractors up to risk without specific 鈥淕ood Samaritan鈥 or innocent contractor provisions to protect them. 蜜桔直播 also joined other business organizations in a joint appeal to urge a 鈥淣O鈥 vote on this measure.
On Jan. 9, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed important steps to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, which can be a circuitous, time-intensive, and costly environmental review step for many infrastructure projects. 蜜桔直播 is pleased the proposal appears to set clear timelines for completing reviews as well as clear up ambiguous wording and definitions that have led to litigation and delayed projects over the years 鈥 steps recommended by 蜜桔直播 in the prior comment period.
From the final rule to replace the repealed 2015 definition of Waters of the United States and a proposal to reform the National Environmental Policy Act procedures, to addressing the take of migratory birds and issuing regulatory determinations for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); the most recent Unified Agenda shows the agencies striving to complete some of the Administration鈥檚 biggest environmental policy goals.
Congress considered adding to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) controversial language to regulate all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Deadline to apply is February 26, 2020