Cherokee Mining, LLC (CML) obtained permits from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to discharge pollutants into the waterways surrounding its mining operations in northern Alabama. CML was accused by Black Warrior Riverkeeper ... Read More
Defendants Rosenblum and Meister were the President/CEO and Plant Manager of Eco Finishing, respectively. Eco had a discharge permit from Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, which operates several POTWs in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Wastewater... Read More
In response to a 2005 ruling by the 2nd Circuit [ Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc. et al v. EPA et al , 399 F.3d 486 (2nd Cir. 2005)], EPA has now issued a new rule, developed in conjunction with USDA, requiring improved handling of manure by concentration... Read More
On February 23, 2006, the Forest Service issued federal term grazing permit # 01825 authorizing the Colvin Cattle Company (Colvin) to graze cattle within the boundaries of the Lower Middle Fork Allotment on the Malheur National Forest. The Forest Service... Read More
Senator Feingold (D., WI) has reintroduced the Clean Water Restoration Act; the legislation has 23 co-sponsors; the legislation is also endorsed by the Governor, Attorney General, or lead environmental agency of well over a dozen States. The objective... Read More
A prior post noted that causatic soda made in chlor-alkali plants, which use mercury cells, is the most likely cause of the mercury found in corn syrup used in various food products. Representative Schakowski (D., IL) has introduced legislation to amend... Read More
The National Research Council has recommended major, significant changes to EPA's stormwater management program; these changes are necessary so that there is a reasonable possibility that stormwater controls will be effective. It would be fair to... Read More
The U.S. and the State of Missouri filed a CWA enforcement action against the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District seeking penalties and injunctive relief to limit discharges of untreated sewage by the district. The District raised affirmative defenses... Read More
As noted in a prior post, EPA had decided earlier this year to not set a Federal MCL for perchlorate even though the chemical was allegedly detected at almost 400 sites in 35 states at levels high enough to interfere with thyroid function and pose developmental... Read More
Extensive areas of the oceans are being impacted by plastic trash and other debris. See, for example, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/magazine/22Plastics-t.html . In 2004, California adopted the Ocean Protection Act, which is Division 26.5 of the California... Read More
Prior posts have noted the decision by the Bush Administration to not regulate perchlorate, EPA's decision in January to reconsider that decision by the Bush EPA, and the EPA Inspector General's report criticizing the Bush EPA's risk assessment... Read More
Prior posts have noted that sewer systems leak, often a lot; in my practice I have seen sewer systems that appear to loose as much as 1/3 (no kidding) of the sewage before it reaches the POTW. Prior posts have also questioned the accuracy of EPA's... Read More
Prior posts have noted the size and causes of the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone, and the target for reducing the zone set for 2015. A July 27 report by NOAA notes that the Gulf of Mexico dead zone has changed its shape. Over the past decade the dead zone... Read More
As noted in prior posts, the divided opinion of Rapanos decision of the U.S. Supreme Court re what are waters of the U.S. sometimes causes difficulties. Most Courts of Appeals are following the views of Justice Kennedy, and one case noted previously found... Read More
By E. Lynn Grayson, Partner, Jenner & Block According to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey, Trace Elements and Radon in Groundwater Across the United States, 1992-2003 , about 20% of untreated water samples from public, private and monitoring... Read More