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The most recent , released in late May, demonstrates that a robust agenda of regulatory reform continues as a theme of this Administration, yet it also shows little movement in the relevant policy �鶹��Ƶ has been tracking.  The federal agencies have extended the projected deadlines for much of the environmental policy of interest to the construction industry as seen in the list of regulatory actions “in the works” below. 

Army Corps of Engineers

• Propose in Dec. 2019 revisions to the rules covering the review and approval of for compensatory mitigation. (Delayed)
• Propose in Oct. 2019 modifications of select to meet requirements of Executive Order 13783 re: energy independence. (Delayed)
• Propose in Dec. 2019 revisions to the under the Corps’ regulatory program regarding Approved Jurisdictional Determinations. (Delayed)
• Propose in Sept. 2019 revisions to the for Corps’ actions that do not typically require extensive review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Council on Environmental Quality

• Propose in June 2019 updates to the existing CEQ regulations implementing the procedural requirements of re: the environmental review process pursuant to Executive Order 13807. (�鶹��Ƶ commented on the advanced notice of proposed rulemaking in the summer of 2018.) (Delayed)

Environmental Protection Agency

Water Issues

• and the 2015 Waters of the United States Rule; EPA anticipates finalizing the repeal in Aug. 2019 and replacement rule in Dec. 2019 (with the Army Corps of Engineers). (Delayed)
• Propose rule in Nov. 2019 to consider, at minimum, changes to EPA's Clean Water Act Section 404(c) review process that would govern the future use of (i.e., EPA’s veto authority over Corps-issued 404 permits). (Delayed)
• In Mar. 2020, EPA plans to propose updates to its regulations for when .  Meaning that states, not the Corps, could make wetlands decisions for projects. 
• Propose in Aug. 2019 clarification of under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

Air Issues

• The agency also is reviewing the national ambient air quality standards for (proposal Mar. 2020) and (proposal Mar. 2020); and plans to release a proposal in Sept. 2019 to provide to the states on implementing NAAQS.
• Finalize in June 2019 the Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks; Revisit the for on-highway heavy-duty trailers (Proposal Oct. 2019) and review emissions data to inform revisions to the standards for (Proposal Feb. 2020).

Chemicals and Waste Issues

• Finalize decision not to issue a new rule on Finalize rule adding ; Finalize new and the definition of lead-based paint.  (�鶹��Ƶ commented on all three of these proposals in the summer of 2018.)  Final actions on these three items should be taken by the fall/end of 2019. (Delayed)
• Propose a under the Safe Drinking Water Act for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFAS) (Dec. 2019); Propose listing PFOA and PFOS as "" under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (Oct. 2019); and Consider adding certain PFAS to the (advanced notice of proposed rulemaking Oct. 2019).
• Consider developing a commercial paint and coating removal training, certification and limited access program for (Date to be determined).

Other

• Propose rule on .  (�鶹��Ƶ commented on the advanced notice of proposed rulemaking the summer of 2018.) This action has been moved to the long-term agenda with no projected date of completion.

Fish and Wildlife Service

• Issue final rules in May 2019 to: 1) Clarify and improve rules governing related to Endangered Species Act Section 7 implementation; 2) Revise regulations for ; and 3) Remove blanket Section 4(d) for . (�鶹��Ƶ commented on these proposed rulemakings in the fall of 2018.) (Delayed)
• Propose further revisions in Dec. 2019 to regulations for to clarify its consideration of the benefits of both including and excluding specific habitat segments in such designations. (Delayed)
• Propose a rule in June 2019 to (ROWs) for infrastructure by aligning U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) processes more closely with those of other Department of the Interior bureaus. (Delayed)
• Propose in Nov. 2019 revisions to the regulations that of the ESA re: permit issuance for the take of endangered/threatened species. (Delayed)
• Propose a rule in June 2019 to codify the policy that resulting from an otherwise lawful activity is not prohibited under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (Delayed)
• FWS also plans to revise their policy interpretation of the phrase in the ESA definitions of endangered and threatened species. Proposed policy expected in Sept. 2019.
• Additionally, a new action moved forward from the long-term agenda would propose in March 2020 revisions of the regulations implementing the of 1992.

For more information on environmental issues in the regulatory agenda, contact Melinda Tomaino at tomainom@agc.org or Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org.