�鶹��Ƶ

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently released “Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits” (available for free download). The report acknowledges that greywater and stormwater can augment water supplies to improve reliability and extend the capacity of water systems in water-scarce or quickly growing cities, if proven safe. The report also calls for more research to address risks, guidelines, and changes to infrastructure to facilitate safe use of these waters.

A host of legal challenges have been filed against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule to tighten its ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) from 75 parts per billion (ppb) down to 70 ppb. A coalition of groups representing various industries are faulting what they say is EPA’s inadequate consideration of naturally occurring “background” ozone levels (ozone formed from sources or processes other than U.S. man-made emissions ) that might hamper states’ ability to attain the agency's tighter limit. EPA is promoting “regulatory relief mechanisms” to address the concerns of states and other interested parties.

A recently released Presidential Memorandum speaks to how federal agencies should, in their environmental reviews and permitting, address impacts on natural resources caused by construction and development – a process called “mitigation.” The new policy broadens the federal government's 26-year-old “no net loss” wetlands policy by expanding that concept to any natural resource and encouraging agencies to replace those resources even before construction begins.

�鶹��Ƶ Explains What You Need to Know Today about Federal Jurisdiction over WOTUS

�鶹��Ƶ Supports Online Lead Paint Training The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized an �鶹��Ƶ-supported rule that will allow contractors who are subject to EPA’s current Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule to complete the required “renovator” re-certification process via distance/online learning, rather than traveling to a more expensive in-seat program.

May Force Cities to Further Restrict Runoff from Construction and Development The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments until March 21 on proposed changes to its general permit program for operators of municipal separate stormwater sewer systems (MS4s), which will ensure that cities are reducing pollutants in their runoff to the “maximum extent practicable” (MEP). The proposed rule addresses how small MS4s seek and incorporate public comment and agency reviews into their permits. The proposal would significantly change how cities obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) authorization to discharge stormwater from their systems and may force cities to further limit runoff from active construction sites and developed properties.

May Force Cities to Further Restrict Runoff from Construction and Development The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments until March 21 on proposed changes to its general permit program for operators of municipal separate stormwater sewer systems (MS4s), which will ensure that cities are reducing pollutants in their runoff to the “maximum extent practicable” (MEP). The proposed rule addresses how small MS4s seek and incorporate public comment and agency reviews into their permits. The proposal would significantly change how cities obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) authorization to discharge stormwater from their systems and may force cities to further limit runoff from active construction sites and developed properties.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a new tool to assist small residential lot builders in developing their required stormwater pollution prevention plans, or SWPPP documents. The Small Residential Lot SWPPP Template is an optional tool designed to streamline SWPPP development and is fully compliant with the SWPPP requirements in EPA’s Construction General Permit (CGP). EPA has invited states to modify the agency’s new template, as needed, for use with their state CGPs.

As just announced by �鶹��Ƶ via its 2016 Environmental Rules Watch List, the construction industry can expect to see a wide range of regulatory action in the coming year, spanning the air, water and waste program areas. �鶹��Ƶ works with federal agency staff during the rulemaking process to ensure that the construction industry’s voice is heard – analyzing and expressing the industry’s views on federal proposals to enact or modify laws that regulate contractors. �鶹��Ƶ created a handout to help you track the development of environmental rules throughout 2016 and even weigh in on issues that are important to you and your business.

Join Us in Denver on April 20, 2016 Are you an environmental professional working in-house at a construction firm? �鶹��Ƶ has organized a day of roundtable discussions specifically for you and your peers. Join us in Denver, CO on April 20, 2016, for a day of information sharing and collaboration. Seating is very limited for this meeting; please don’t wait to act on this exclusive opportunity. Click here to register (construction firms only, please).