Air Quality Permits for Public Review
The Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau published draft Title V Operating Permits for public comment on April 2, 2026. The draft permit for Veolia Water NA - Davenport (Scrap and Waste Materials facility) in Scott County is open for review. Public comments are due by May 2, 2026.
Lancashire Company and Director Fined for Illegal Waste Exports
The Environment Agency prosecuted 3R Technology UK Ltd and Director Yulin Wang for illegally exporting contaminated plastic waste to Malaysia. The company was fined £80,000 with £45,000 costs and £2,000 victim surcharge; Wang received 120 hours unpaid community work plus £15,000 costs and £114 surcharge. They pleaded guilty to 16 charges involving waste shipments between April 2022 and February 2025.
Contractor Access to TSCA Confidential Business Information
EPA has authorized contractor Deaf Access Solutions, Inc. to access Confidential Business Information submitted under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The contractor, providing American Sign Language interpretation services for deaf/hard-of-hearing EPA staff, will receive access under GSA/FEDSIM task order 68HERF26F0012 until December 31, 2030. Access is limited to need-to-know basis in accordance with EPA's TSCA CBI Protection Manual.
Deaf Access Solutions, Inc.; Access to Confidential Business Information
EPA has granted Deaf Access Solutions, Inc., a contractor providing American Sign Language interpretation services to the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), access to pesticide-related Confidential Business Information (CBI) submitted under FIFRA and FFDCA. The access enables the contractor to fulfill its obligations interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing OPP staff. Access begins 5 days after Federal Register publication.
Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Subsurface Wastewater Treatment Systems
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality released a draft programmatic environmental assessment for subsurface wastewater treatment systems. The assessment covers conventional septic systems to advanced treatment systems meeting drinking water standards. Qualifying systems must have fewer than 300 drainfields and disturb fewer than 10 acres. Public comments are due May 1, 2026.
South Atlantic Fishery Public Meeting - Red Snapper Assessment Webinar 5
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced a public webinar for the Southeast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) 90 Assessment Webinar 5 to review South Atlantic Red Snapper stock status. The webinar is scheduled for April 28, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT and is open to the public. This is part of the multi-stage SEDAR process for evaluating fish stock data and developing fisheries management advice.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Outreach Advisory Panel Meeting
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service announces a public meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Outreach and Communications Advisory Panel on May 5-6, 2026, in North Charleston, SC. The meeting will also be accessible via webinar and is open to the public with opportunities for public comment.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Public Meeting Notice
The National Marine Fisheries Service published a notice announcing a joint public meeting of the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils' Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP). The meeting will take place on April 23, 2026, via webinar to discuss the NTAP Operational Manual and Orientation Document, including background, organization, purpose, and member expectations.
Gray Wolf Nonessential Experimental Population Rule - Colorado Implementation Request for Information
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requests public comment on implementation of the ESA Section 10(j) nonessential experimental population rule for gray wolves in Colorado. The Service seeks information on the State's conflict prevention and response efforts, stakeholder engagement, impact on ungulate herds, and effectiveness of nonlethal and lethal management measures. Comments are due June 5, 2026.
Wood Stove Grant Program Reduces Air Pollution
Washington State Department of Ecology published a blog post highlighting the success of its Wood Smoke Reduction Grant Program, which began in 2005. The program has distributed over $30 million to local clean air agencies and helped replace, buy back, or recycle nearly 13,000 old, uncertified wood stoves. The grants are available on a competitive basis, distributing $3-4 million per biennium, to reduce PM 2.5 particle pollution during winter months.
Bay St. Louis Beach Water Advisory Lifted
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has lifted the beach water contact advisory for Bay St. Louis Beach after water samples showed acceptable bacteria levels. The advisory affected Station 4, from the Box Culvert east to Ballantine St. Four advisories remain in effect along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Visitor Use Management Reports for High Peaks and Kaaterskill Clove
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released two Visitor Use Management (VUM) reports prepared by consultants DJ&A and Otak for the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness and Kaaterskill Clove region. The reports assess impacts from increasing visitation including traffic congestion, parking issues, trail crowding, and facility degradation. Public feedback will be accepted through June 1, 2026.
DEC Does What?! Podcast Episode 32: Moose on the Loose
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released Episode 32 of its 'DEC Does What?!' podcast, titled 'Moose on the Loose.' The episode features conversations with DEC wildlife staff discussing moose population monitoring in New York using aerial surveys, GPS tracking, and public sighting reports. The episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other major podcast platforms.
I Love My Park Day Volunteer Event Registration
NY DEC announced registration is open for the 15th Annual I Love My Park Day, scheduled for May 2, 2026. The event is a partnership with Parks & Trails New York and the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, offering volunteer opportunities at over 120 state parks, historic sites, and public lands across New York State.
Blue-Green Algae Health Advisory for Kansas Lakes
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued public health advisories for three Kansas lakes—Frontenac City Lake (Crawford County), King Lake (Lyon County), and Lake Afton (Sedgwick County)—due to confirmed blue-green algae (harmful algal blooms). These blooms pose health risks through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of aerosols. The advisory period coincides with the Kansas water recreation season from April 1 to October 31.
Wisconsin ozone plan, EPA approval, comment deadline May 4
Wisconsin ozone plan, EPA approval, comment deadline May 4
Gulf of Alaska Pollock Fishery Closure Area 620
NMFS has closed directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska effective April 1, 2026. The closure prevents exceeding the A season 2026 total allowable catch of 46,510 metric tons, with 46,310 mt allocated as directed fishing allowance and 200 mt reserved for incidental catch. The closure remains in effect through 1200 hours Alaska local time on September 1, 2026.
Reallocation of Pollock Quotas from Aleutian Islands to Bering Sea
NMFS Alaska issued a temporary rule reallocating 6,300 metric tons of Aleut Corporation pollock DFA and 1,900 metric tons of CDQ pollock DFA from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. The reallocation is effective April 3, 2026 through December 31, 2026, to allow Bering Sea sectors to harvest pollock that would otherwise go uncaught in the Aleutian Islands.