Beach Advisories Lifted for Bay St. Louis and Gulfport Central
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has lifted beach water contact advisories for Bay St. Louis Beach (Station 4, Box Culvert to Ballantine St.) and Gulfport Central Beach (Station 10, Alfonso Dr. to Arkansas Ave.) after water samples showed acceptable bacteria levels. Four beach water contact advisories remain in effect for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The agency reminds swimmers that the Beach Task Force recommends avoiding swimming during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall.
EAA Reservoir Contracts Fully Executed, Accelerating Everglades Restoration to 2029
Governor Ron DeSantis and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that all federally funded contracts for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir have been fully executed. The milestone accelerates project completion to 2029, five years ahead of the original timeline. Construction is underway on critical infrastructure including an inflow pump station capable of moving 3 billion gallons of water daily from Lake Okeechobee.
NESDIS Establishes Revised Fee Schedule for Special Environmental Data Access
NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) has issued a final rule updating its fee schedule for special access to environmental data, information, and related products and services. The new fees take effect May 14, 2026, and replace the schedule in place since 2023. NOAA continues to provide the vast majority of environmental data free of charge through its National Centers for Environmental Information Archive, CLASS system, and NOAA Open Data Dissemination Program, but special data products accessed offline, online, or through the NESDIS e-Commerce System will now reflect updated costs.
Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Area Closure Effective April 13, 2026
NMFS announces the closure of the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Scallop Management Area effective 0001 local time April 13, 2026, through March 31, 2027. The closure applies to all federally permitted Limited Access General Category (LAGC) scallop vessels upon projection that 100 percent of the 2026 NGOM Set-Aside will be harvested. Vessels may continue fishing in Maine or Massachusetts state waters under approved exemption programs.
Phthalic Anhydride Systematic Review (73 Pages)
EPA has published a comprehensive 73-page systematic review of phthalic anhydride, a high-production-volume chemical used in plasticizers, resins, and dyes. The document applies systematic review methods consistent with EPA's TSCA risk evaluation framework to assess available scientific literature on this chemical substance. The review will inform EPA's understanding of exposure pathways, hazards, and risk characterization for phthalic anhydride.
Draft Data Quality for Phthalic Anhydride Animal Toxicology Studies
EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) has released for public comment a draft document evaluating the quality of animal toxicology studies for phthalic anhydride. The document establishes data quality criteria for assessing scientific validity of existing toxicological evidence. Public comments are being accepted through the regulations.gov portal.
Reduced Air Pollution Transportation Sector EPA
The EPA has finalized a rule establishing new emission standards for the transportation sector aimed at reducing air pollution. The rule sets specific limits on pollutants from vehicles and transportation-related sources. Affected entities include automobile manufacturers, transportation companies, and fleet operators who must meet the new emission requirements within the compliance timeframe.
AQS Republic Monitor 391510024 AMP350 Data
The EPA has published air quality monitoring data from AQS (Air Quality System) monitor 391510024 for Republic Monitor, identified as AMP350 data. The document is a data file available for download from regulations.gov as part of a regulatory submission.
Ohio DFFO Republic Steel Environmental Document
EPA Region 5 published an environmental document related to a DFFO (Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Order) concerning Republic Steel operations in Ohio. The document, filed under docket EPA-R05-OAR-2025-0222, is available for download from regulations.gov. The specific contents and regulatory requirements of the DFFO are contained within the PDF document.
Canton Ohio Lead NAAQS Redesignation Maintenance Plan
EPA Region 5 has approved the redesignation of the Canton, Ohio area to attainment status for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead, establishing a maintenance plan to ensure continued compliance. The plan projects air quality maintenance for a 10-year period following redesignation.
Draft HHCB Environmental Release Modeling, EPA, 14th Apr
Draft HHCB Environmental Release Modeling, EPA, 14th Apr
Draft Human Health Hazard Evaluation for HHCB Chemical
EPA has released a draft human health hazard evaluation for HHCB (1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-gamma-2-benzopyran), a synthetic polycyclic musk used as a fragrance ingredient in consumer products. The draft evaluation assesses potential health risks from exposure to HHCB through various routes including dermal, inhalation, and oral pathways. EPA is seeking public comment on the scientific methodology and conclusions of this hazard evaluation before finalizing its assessment.
Background Materials for SACC Review, o-Dichlorobenzene
The EPA published background materials for the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) review of o-Dichlorobenzene. The document provides supporting materials for the advisory committee's evaluation of this chemical substance. The SACC provides independent scientific advice to EPA on chemical risk assessments under TSCA. No regulatory action, compliance obligation, or deadline is established by these background materials.
Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; 2026 Closure of Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area
NOAA has closed the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area to the Limited Access General Category scallop fishery effective April 13, 2026, through March 31, 2027. The closure prevents Limited Access General Category vessels from harvesting Atlantic sea scallops in this management area during the specified period. Affected fishermen must cease scallop fishing operations in the closed area or risk enforcement action.
MDE Investigating 32,000-Gallons Jet Fuel Leaks at Joint Base Andrews
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is investigating a release of approximately 32,000 gallons of jet fuel at Joint Base Andrews between January and March 2026. The leaking portion of the refueling system has been shut down, and cleanup is underway by contractor Clean Harbors, with 10,000 gallons captured before reaching Piscataway Creek. The base is subject to enforcement orders requiring emergency soil investigation, monitoring well installation, and daily cleanup reporting.
Projects Approved for Consumptive Uses of Water (March 2026)
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published a notice listing Approvals by Rule for 25 projects receiving consumptive use of water pursuant to 18 CFR 806.22(f) during March 1-31, 2026. All projects involve natural gas drilling operations in Pennsylvania townships, with consumption rates ranging up to 7.5000 mgd. The approvals were issued to Diversified Production LLC and Expand Operating LLC.
West Fraser Forest Products fined $24,750 for exceeding air permit HAP limits
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined West Fraser Forest Products $24,750 for exceeding total hazardous air pollutant (HAP) limits permitted for its Solway facility from January 2024 to January 2025. The company was also required to submit a permit application with a higher total HAP limit and develop a plan to maintain current permit limits until a new permit is issued. A prior $15,250 fine was issued in January 2026 for late performance tests and earlier HAP limit exceedances.
CEQ Issues Revised NEPA Categorical Exclusions Guidance
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued revised guidance on establishing, revising, adopting, and applying categorical exclusions under NEPA, replacing prior guidance from December 6, 2010. The guidance reflects statutory changes including NEPA's new definition of categorical exclusion and the interagency adoption process. The guidance does not create legally binding obligations but promotes consistency in NEPA implementation across federal agencies.
FY2027 State Agricultural Best Management Practices Grant Program - Last Call
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality announced the closing of the application period for the fiscal year 2027 State Agricultural Best Management Practices Grant Program on April 17, 2026. The grant program supports water quality improvement efforts statewide and helps landowners modify agricultural practices to reduce water pollution and meet total maximum daily load requirements.
Oil and Gas Operations on National Wildlife Refuge System Lands; Renewal of Information Collection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to renew an existing information collection (OMB Control No. 1018-0162) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 without change. The collection relates to the Service's authority to regulate non-Federal oil and gas operations on National Wildlife Refuge System lands. Interested persons may submit comments through June 12, 2026.
Marine Mammal Harassment Approval Information Collection Renewal
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comments on renewing an information collection (OMB No. 1018-0194) related to marine mammal harassment approvals under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Service proposes to renew this collection without changes. Comments are due May 13, 2026, via regulations.gov or U.S. mail.
Summary of Meeting with EPA
EPA released a meeting summary for docket EPA-HQ-OW-2002-0026 (Office of Water). The document provides an overview of discussions held between EPA and stakeholders. No new compliance obligations or regulatory changes are established by this meeting summary. The document is filed in the public record for the referenced water quality docket.
Seasonal Technicians Survey Washington Streams and Rivers
Washington State Department of Ecology is recruiting seasonal watershed health technicians to survey streams and rivers statewide during summer 2026. Crews collect physical, biological, and chemical data on water quality, stream structure, invertebrates, and fish presence. Many former technicians have advanced to environmental science careers including fisheries scientists and aquatic invasive species prevention biologists.
Muncy Creek Drilling Project Reclamation Permit 0456 Issued
The Administrator of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has issued Reclamation Permit No. 0456 to Falcon Copper Corporation for the Muncy Creek Drilling Project. The permit authorizes reclamation of the exploration project site located in portions of Sections 8, 9, and 16, Township 20 North, Range 66 East in White Pine County, Nevada. The permit assures the Division that the project site will be left safe, stable, and capable of supporting productive post-mining land use.