Environment

USGS PRA Renewal Request for Topographic and Hydrography Data Grants (OMB 1028-0092)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking public comment on the renewal of its information collection for the 3D National Topography Model (3DNTM) Data Collaboration Announcement under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection supports the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) and 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) by gathering applicant proposals and cost-sharing information for topographic and hydrography data projects. Comments are due June 23, 2026. The collection affects approximately 80 respondents annually (state and local governments, tribes, academic institutions, and private sector), with an estimated 3,280 annual burden hours at 41 hours per response. The collection is voluntary and carries no nonhour burden cost.

Comment on USGS Topographic and Hydrography Data Grants

USGS is seeking public comments on its Topographic and Hydrography Data Grants consultation (USGS-2025-0336-0001). The Regulations.gov comment form allows submission as an Individual, Organization, or Anonymous commenter, with optional email confirmation and file attachments up to 20 files at 10MB each. This is a standard federal consultation mechanism with no new substantive compliance obligations.

Axion Recycling Ltd, Salford: Environmental Permit Issued under Industrial Emissions Directive

The Environment Agency has issued environmental permit EPR/JP3994CL/V005 to Axion Recycling Ltd for the Axion Polymers installation in Salford, M6 6RX. The permit was issued under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and is applicable to England only. The decision documentation, including the full permit and decision document, was published on 24 April 2026 as a 47-page permit PDF and a 16-page decision document. This permit issuance represents routine administrative action by the regulator confirming the operator's authorisation to operate under IED requirements.

OUSF Assessment Reduced 17% From $1.63 to $1.35 Per Connection

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has approved a reduction in the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund assessment from $1.63 to $1.35 per connection, a decrease of $0.28 or approximately 17 percent. The updated assessment takes effect May 1, 2026, with provider billing system implementation aligned to reporting cycles beginning July 15, 2026. The OUSF currently holds a higher-than-targeted balance driven by reduced demand, and the reduction is intended to responsibly draw down that surplus while maintaining sufficient funding for program obligations. Telecommunications providers including wireless and Voice over Internet Protocol providers should update their billing systems and reporting processes accordingly.

Critical Habitat Designated for Four Freshwater Mussel Species

The Fish and Wildlife Service has designated critical habitat for four freshwater mussel species—the rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase—spanning approximately 1,938 river miles across 13 states. The rule, effective May 27, 2026, identifies specific stream segments and associated riparian zones in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin as critical habitat. Affected parties include federal agencies, construction firms, developers, water withdrawal operators, agricultural operations, and transportation companies undertaking activities in or near designated waterways.

PFAS Fish Consumption Advisories for 21 Montana Waterbodies

The Interagency Fish Consumption Advisory Group (IFCAG), comprising Montana DPHHS, DEQ, and FWP, has issued 21 new or updated PFAS fish consumption advisories for Montana waterbodies based on 2023 and 2024 fish tissue and surface water sampling. IFCAG used ATSDR's Minimum Risk Level as the health guidance value to calculate protective consumption limits. PFAS was detected in fish tissue at 12 of 14 sampled locations and in surface water at 2 of 14 locations. The advisories are recommendations, not regulatory standards, and are listed in the Montana Sport Fish Consumption Guidelines on the FWP website.

Ashman Builders LLC Nottoway County VA Proposed Consent Order

VA DEQ has proposed a Consent Order for Ashman Builders, LLC for violations of State Water Control Board statutes and regulations and applicable permit at the Parcels 42-62C and 42-62D project in Nottoway County, Virginia. The proposed consent order is open for public comment from April 20, 2026 through May 20, 2026. The document is available through the VA DEQ Piedmont Regional Office.

Williamsport Land Redevelopment Turns Former Landfill Into Sports Complex

PA DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley and state officials visited the Williamsport Lumber Yards ballfield complex on April 24, 2026, to highlight the success of an Act 2 Land Recycling Program project that transformed a former 28-acre unregulated landfill (1960–1978) into a regional sports tourism destination with six lighted synthetic turf fields and a collegiate-sized field. The cleanup included soil sampling, removal of four underground storage tanks, engineered controls, and a vapor mitigation barrier, with Governor Shapiro proposing $20 million for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act in his 2026–27 budget to stabilize the program while long-term funding is developed.

Capital Grant Scale Workshop - Carson City, May 12

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) will hold a public workshop on May 12, 2026, to provide an opportunity for public comment on the Capital Improvement Grant Program, Scales to Determine Grant Amounts. The workshop will take place in Carson City and is accessible by phone or Microsoft Teams. The notice was posted on April 24, 2026.

Windblown Dust Advisory Coachella Valley April 24

South Coast AQMD has issued a windblown dust advisory for the Coachella Valley effective Friday at 5:00 PM through Sunday at 11:00 AM. Unhealthy or higher Air Quality Index levels for PM10 are forecast for the Northern Coachella Valley, with Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups conditions expected in other areas. Wind gusts of 50-60 mph are anticipated, with peak wind speeds Saturday night into Sunday morning. Residents in affected areas are advised to limit outdoor exposure, keep windows and doors closed, avoid vigorous physical activity, and run air conditioning or air purifiers rather than swamp coolers.

$250K Municipal Tree Maintenance Grants Available Through NJ Forest Service

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced $250,000 in Municipal Tree Maintenance Grants available to New Jersey municipalities during an Arbor Day ceremony in Paramus on April 24, 2026. The New Jersey Forest Service's Urban & Community Forestry Program will award up to $25,000 each to approximately 10 communities that are accredited through the Tree City USA program and provide a 25% match. Funding will support tree pruning and removal projects identified through existing tree inventory and risk assessments.

Rhode Island Quarantines Petting Zoo After Illnesses

DEM and RIDOH have issued an animal quarantine order at Rusty Buckle Petting Zoo in Glocester, Rhode Island, after six individuals (3 confirmed and 3 probable cases) contracted cryptosporidiosis following contact with goats at the facility located at 138 Tourtellot Hill Road, Chepachet. The quarantine applies to all ruminant livestock at the location, which must be kept away from the public with no physical contact permitted with visitors until the order is lifted by DEM. State Veterinarian Dr. Scott Marshall issued the quarantine and is urging petting zoo operators and the public to follow commonsense sanitary practices including hand-washing and ensuring only healthy animals have public contact.

Rhode Island Celebrates 129th Arbor Day, Tree Grants

Rhode Island DEM Director Terry Gray joined Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien and RI Tree Council Technical Director John Campanini at Samuel Slater Memorial Park on April 24, 2026 to celebrate the state's 129th Arbor Day. The agency announced 11 grant recipients across two programs: the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program funding seven projects totaling $49,600, and the Tree Equity RI Grant Program funding four projects totaling $150,000. Recipients include municipalities, nonprofits, and community organizations using Tree Equity Score Analyzer to target environmental justice communities.

EU and Partners Sign Global Green Bond Initiative Fund Mobilizing €20 Billion

The European Union and partner development finance institutions signed the Global Green Bond Initiative (GGBI) Fund on April 24, 2026, a new public-private investment tool designed to mobilize up to €20 billion of private capital for sustainable infrastructure projects in low and middle-income countries. The fund is expected to crowd in up to €2 billion from European and international private investors, leveraging approximately €1 billion in equity from public investors, with nearly €800 million coming from a consortium led by the European Investment Bank. The European Commission will provide credit protection through its European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) Guarantee, and the fund will be managed by Amundi.

European PES Network Publishes Paper on Skills-Based Job Matching

The European PES Network has published a Thematic Paper on how Public Employment Services across Europe are adopting skills-based approaches to job profiling, matching, and reskilling. The paper draws on a September 2025 workshop in Luxembourg involving representatives from 23 PES, the European Commission, and ESCO team members. Key findings include that AI-assisted matching systems prioritising skills similarities over identical occupations are in use in Luxembourg, Belgium-VDAB, and Sweden, while Austria, France, Ireland, Estonia, Czechia, and Croatia are deploying complementary tools for profiling, employer engagement, and upskilling. The paper emphasises that consistent taxonomies, reliable skills data, and interoperable systems are essential foundations, though alignment with the ESCO taxonomy remains uneven across Member States.

Commissioner Síkela Announces €1.2B Team Europe Investment Package in Ethiopia

EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela concluded a two-day mission to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, announcing a major investment package including a Digital Economy Package, new European Investment Bank (EIB) financing for farmers and rural households, and the resumption of EU budget support to Ethiopia. The EU-Ethiopia Business Forum, opened by the Commissioner, brought together over 500 participants including European and Ethiopian companies, investors, and public institutions. A €1.2 billion Team Europe initiative funded by EU Member States and the EU, plus an MoU between the EU and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, will support trade facilitation and regional integration across Africa. At Africa CDC, the Commissioner highlighted over €100 million in continental health support. These initiatives advance the EU's Global Gateway investment strategy in Ethiopia, targeting clean energy, health, education, and sustainable coffee value chains.

Global Report on Food Crises 2026: Acute Hunger Doubles Over Decade, Two Famines Declared

The European Union's humanitarian aid directorate (ECHO) published the Global Report on Food Crises 2026 on 24 April 2026, revealing that 266 million people in 47 countries experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2025, with two famines confirmed in Gaza and parts of Sudan — the first time since the GRFC began reporting that famine was confirmed in two separate contexts in the same year. The report shows acute hunger has doubled over the past decade, with the number of people facing catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5) nine times higher than in 2016.

EU Commission and CBE JU Launch Bioeconomy Investment Deployment Group

The European Commission and the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) have established the Bioeconomy Investment Deployment Group (BIDG) to address structural financing gaps in Europe's bio-based industries. The group, which held its launch event in Brussels, brings together European banks, national promotional institutions, venture capital funds, and institutional investors to support projects moving from pilot to demonstration and first-of-a-kind industrial deployment stages. The BIDG's first plenary is scheduled for June 2026, with a 2026–2029 work plan to follow.

EU Launches Aviation and Aeronautics Strategy, Seeks Stakeholder Feedback

The European Commission has launched work on an EU Aviation and Aeronautics Strategy and opened a call for evidence inviting citizens, businesses, and stakeholders to share feedback. The strategy aims to strengthen Europe's aviation and aeronautical sectors amid challenges including rising energy costs, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying global competition. Feedback will inform a comprehensive framework addressing competitiveness, resilience, decarbonisation, strategic autonomy, and workforce development. The consultation closes on 21 May 2026.

EU Marks Chernobyl 40th Anniversary with Nuclear Safety Cooperation Overview

The European Commission has published a commemorative overview marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (April 26, 1986), describing the EU's nuclear safety cooperation with Ukraine since 1991. The EU has financed more than €1 billion in nuclear safety activities in Ukraine, including €423 million for the New Safe Confinement arch placed over destroyed Unit 4. Following damage from a Russian drone strike in February 2025, the European Commission has dedicated a further €37 million to restore the structure to full functionality by 2030. The article also references the Industrial Complex for Solid Radwaste Management (ICSRM) and the European Instrument for International Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC) 2021-2027 programme. The piece is informational and does not establish new regulatory obligations or compliance requirements.

European Youth Week 2026: 24 April to 1 May, Solidarity and Fairness Focus

European Youth Week 2026 will run from 24 April to 1 May 2026, dedicated to solidarity and fairness while celebrating 30 years of volunteering in Europe. The Commission, in partnership with the European Parliament, will kick off the week in Brussels with over 1,000 participants exchanging ideas during a full day of activities. An exhibition will showcase Europeans who have made a meaningful difference in society, with events, discussions, and activities scheduled across Europe throughout the week.

Beach Water Contact Advisory Issued for East Courthouse Road Beach

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Beach Monitoring Program has issued a water contact advisory for East Courthouse Road Beach (Station 10B) due to elevated bacteria levels. The beach is not closed, and the advisory will remain in effect until water samples confirm bacteria levels have returned to safe thresholds. MDEQ will continue issuing advisory text alerts and press releases through Labor Day (September 7, 2026), after which routine advisories outside peak season will be communicated through posted beach signage and the Beach Monitoring website.

Zoo Atlanta Wildlife Permit Application April 2025

Zoo Atlanta filed a wildlife permit application with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on April 23, 2025. The application, docketed as FWS-HQ-IA-2025-0672-0002, is available for download as a PDF document on Regulations.gov. No substantive permit terms, species details, or conditions are visible in the filing record itself.

DEC Certifies 23 NY Municipalities as Climate Smart Communities; NYC Achieves Silver

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced 23 municipalities certified under the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Certification program. New York City was newly certified silver — the highest level under the program — for its commitment to decreasing emissions and protecting residents in historically overburdened areas. Erie County was recertified silver, and 21 communities were certified bronze, including 11 new additions. Combined, the municipalities referenced received nearly $5.8 million in CSC grant funding for climate adaptation and mitigation projects, including floodproofing, heat adaptation, and refrigerant disposal programs.

Phase One Cleanup Complete at Buffalo Naval Park

New York State DEC, U.S. Coast Guard, the City of Buffalo, and Buffalo Naval Park completed Phase One of environmental cleanup and vessel stabilization at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park on April 24, 2026. Crews removed 124,665 gallons of diesel fuel and oily water from the USS Croaker and 100,418 gallons from the USS The Sullivans, after a pinhole leak in a Croaker fuel tank and water incursion on The Sullivans created environmental threats in March. The Buffalo River was protected with no reported wildlife impact from the intermittent petroleum releases. Phase Two will immediately target oil removal from USS Little Rock, followed by dredging and transport of Croaker and The Sullivans to Donjon Shipbuilders in Erie, Pennsylvania for dry dock repairs.

$46M Advancing Forest Markets Grant Program Launched, Applications Due August 5, 2026

NY DEC announced the launch of the Advancing Forest Markets (AFM) grant program with $46 million in total funding available to expand forest product markets and increase tree seedling affordability. Three funding categories are offered: the 25 Million Trees Nursery Discount Program, Growing Reforestation Opportunities, and the Tree Market Boost and Revitalization Program. Grant awards range from $100,000 to $12 million with no match required, plus incentive payments of $2,000–$10,000. Applications close at 2:00 p.m. on August 5, 2026, with all work to be completed by January 2028.

47 North Carolina Counties Now Experiencing Extreme Drought Conditions

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council reports that 47 counties are now in extreme drought (D3 classification), with most remaining counties experiencing severe drought. Counties in extreme drought conditions must follow their Water Shortage Response Plans and submit weekly water use and conservation reports to the Division of Water Resources. The N.C. Forest Service ban on all open burning remains in effect until further notice. Rainfall totals across the state are 10 or more inches below normal for the past six months, with groundwater and streamflow levels at near-record lows.

UK and Foreign Vessel Landings by Port

The Marine Management Organisation released March 2026 sea fisheries statistics showing UK vessel landings decreased 32% to 57 thousand tonnes compared to March 2025. The value of landings fell 11% to £74 million. Pelagic species comprised 64% of total landings by quantity while demersal species represented 50% of the total value landed. Data is provided in ODS and XLSX formats as provisional figures.

MA DPU Proposes Nation-Leading Rideshare Safety Rules for TNCs

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities opened a rulemaking proceeding to enhance public safety for all rideshare services across the state, proposing nation-leading regulations for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft. The proposed rules expand background check requirements to cover seven years of criminal and driving history from every state where a driver has resided or held a license, add disqualification criteria including suspended driving privileges in any state, require continuous monitoring for criminal or traffic violations, and impose accreditation requirements on third-party background check companies. TNCs would be fined $500 for certain driver-related violations under the DPU's final regulations, with public comments accepted until July 2, 2026.

State Minister Aoyama Participates in 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Germany

State Minister Aoyama of Japan's Ministry of Environment traveled to Germany to participate in the 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue held April 21-22, 2026. During the dialogue, he conducted bilateral meetings with COP31 President-Designate Minister Murat Kurum of Türkiye, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, and other high-level participants. The event was purely ceremonial and informational, with no regulatory obligations, compliance deadlines, or enforcement implications created by this participation.

NOAA Hearing: Metals Company USA, January 28

NOAA announces a hearing related to Metals Company USA, scheduled for January 28. The specific subject matter of the hearing is not visible in the available content. The document provides access to the hearing transcript via a downloadable PDF. No regulatory obligations or compliance deadlines are stated in the source.

NOAA Hearing Transcript - The Metals Company, January 27-28 2026

NOAA held a public hearing on January 27-28, 2026 concerning The Metals Company USA LLC, a deep sea mining company. The transcript records proceedings on the company's proposed commercial recovery operations targeting polymetallic nodules on the Pacific seafloor. No binding obligations, deadlines, or penalties appear in the available document metadata. The transcript is filed under docket NOAA-NOS-2025-0702.

The Metals Company USA Administrative Hearing Before NOAA

NOAA conducted an administrative hearing on January 27, 2026, regarding The Metals Company USA and its seabed mineral extraction operations. The hearing record has been filed in docket NOAA-NOS-2025-1330. No substantive hearing content is available in this filing notice; the transcript or hearing materials must be downloaded from the linked PDF document.

BSEE Permit to Drill Information Collection Renewal Under Paperwork Reduction Act

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement proposes to renew OMB Control Number 1014-0025, an information collection covering Applications for Permit to Drill (APDs) and Supplemental APD Information Sheets under 30 CFR part 250. The collection is used to evaluate drilling unit fitness, hazard assessment, equipment readiness, crew training, blowout preventer systems, and environmental protection for offshore oil and gas operations. Comments are due June 23, 2026.

UK Government Confirms No Jet Fuel Shortage, Travel Plans Unchanged

The UK Government published a consumer information page on 24 April 2026 confirming that UK airlines are not currently experiencing jet fuel shortages. The Department for Transport, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office are monitoring the situation following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The government has also confirmed that Airport Coordination Limited has updated slot allocation rules so airlines will not lose their airport slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Passengers retain legal rights to full refunds or re-routing if flights are cancelled.

Former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant Restoration Advisory Board Meeting

The U.S. Army, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a Restoration Advisory Board meeting on April 23, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the DeSoto City Hall Senior Center. The public meeting is scheduled to address the Former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant cleanup and restoration activities, with agency representatives available to answer public questions at the conclusion of the board meeting.

Trump EPA Updates PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance to Protect American Communities

EPA has released updated interim guidance on the destruction and disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), reflecting the most recent gold-standard science to help states, utilities, waste handlers, and local communities manage these chemicals safely. The agency will accept comments on the interim guidance for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. The updated guidance recommends three existing technologies with lower potential for environmental release of PFAS, and introduces a new technology evaluation framework to assess emerging tools.

Nina Liang, 17, Wins 2026 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest

Nina Liang, 17, from Texas won the 2026 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest with an oil painting of a pair of blue-winged teal, which will appear on the 2026-2027 Junior Duck Stamp. The national contest received best-of-show entries from all 50 states and territories, with more than 13,000 young artists submitting entries nationwide. Second place went to Jisun Yoon, 14, of New Jersey, and third place to Thora Larson, 14, of South Dakota, while Iris Lovett, 13, of Wisconsin won the Conservation Message Contest.

Draft Recovery Plan for Pearl River Map Turtle

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment until May 22, 2026 on a draft recovery plan for the Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis), a freshwater turtle listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2024. The plan outlines criteria for delisting the species and focuses on habitat conservation and restoration, threat reduction, research on reproductive biology and ecological needs, and increased public awareness and engagement in the Pearl River drainage in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Service Awards More Than $6.6 Million in Tribal Wildlife Grants

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding more than $6.6 million to federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native tribes to benefit fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. This year's funding will support 35 tribes for conservation projects across 15 states, with nine of the awarded proposals going to tribes that have never received Tribal Wildlife Grants funds in the past. The grants are provided exclusively to federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native tribal governments under the Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2002 through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program.

Critical Habitat for 4 Mussel Species, 3,814 River Miles Across 17 States

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated approximately 3,814 river miles of occupied critical habitat for four freshwater mussel species — rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase — spanning 17 states. The designation, effective upon publication, does not affect land ownership, create reserves, or authorize government access to private land, but may affect federal agency actions involving development, planning, or permitting in designated areas. All four species were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2012.

AT&T Japan-US Cable Decommissioning, Draft MND Available for Comment

The California State Lands Commission has released a draft Mitigated Negative Declaration under CEQA for AT&T Enterprises, LLC's proposed removal of two decommissioned fiber optic cable segments (JUS S8 and JUS S9) from the seafloor offshore of San Luis Obispo and Mendocino Counties. Public comments on the draft MND must be submitted by Friday, May 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via CEQA.comments@slc.ca.gov. The Commission serves as lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, and the State Clearinghouse number is 2026041109.

Zoo Atlanta Elephant Permit, Comment Deadline May 26

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on a permit application from Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo dba Zoo Atlanta (Permit No. PER22760642) to import one male and one female captive-bred giant panda from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, China. The import is proposed for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. Comments must be submitted by May 26, 2026 via Regulations.gov or U.S. mail to the FWS Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.

NOAA Issues MMPA and ESA Permits to Normandeau Associates and University of Alaska Anchorage

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service has issued two permits under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. Permit 28294 was issued to Matthew Fisher of Normandeau Associates, Inc. in West Lawn, PA on March 30, 2026, following a December 2025 Federal Register notice. Permit 29044 was issued to Amanda Bishop, Ph.D. of the University of Alaska Anchorage on April 1, 2026, following a February 2026 notice. Both permits underwent categorical exclusion from environmental assessment requirements under NEPA.

Scott Beverley Environmental Permit Application Consultation CO16 9QG

The Environment Agency has published a public notice regarding an environmental permit application (EPR/KP3925MT/A001) submitted by Scott Beverley for Avon Cottage, Holland Road, Little Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea CO16 9QG. The notice invites public comments on applications for waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators. The Environment Agency will decide whether to grant or refuse the application and what conditions to include if granted.

David Gorton Fined £17,527 for Illegal Waste Deposition at Devon Site

Devon waste carrier David Gorton was ordered by Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court to pay £17,527 (comprising a £1,466 fine, £12,300 in criminal benefit recovery, and £3,614 in Environment Agency costs) after pleading guilty to illegally depositing 1,368 tonnes of soil and stone at an unlicensed site near Kingsteignton between 19 July 2018 and 16 May 2019. Gorton, operating as a registered waste carrier, failed to verify the landowner had a valid environmental permit despite being told by an Environment Agency officer in 2019 to stop depositing waste at the site. The site remediation is estimated to cost at least £2.5M.

Wayne Capstick Environmental Permit Application EPR/DP3220MS/A001

The Environment Agency has published a public notice advertising an environmental permit application submitted by Wayne Capstick for premises at Nappa Manor Barn, Skipton, BD23 4LT, under reference EPR/DP3220MS/A001. The application is open for public consultation as required under the Environmental Permitting Regulations. Interested parties may submit comments on the application, and the Agency will subsequently decide whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to impose if granted.

Andrew Leadbeater Ordered to Clear West Yorkshire Waste Site After Guilty Plea

Andrew Leadbeater, 57, pleaded guilty at West Yorkshire Magistrates' Court on 17 April 2026 to two waste offences relating to an illegal waste site at 533 Wyke Lane, Wyke, Bradford. He was ordered by 17 June 2026 to clear all waste from the land, sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £6,067.50 in costs plus a £26 victim surcharge. The Environment Agency had previously issued a notice requiring clearance by 22 September 2025, which was not complied with, and a required interview in October 2025 was not attended. The case highlights enforcement action against waste crime in Yorkshire.

Robinson Preserve Restored, 700 Acres, 240k Visitors Yearly

NOAA Fisheries and Manatee County, Florida report that the $17 million restoration of Robinson Preserve—converting 700 acres of degraded farmland near Tampa Bay into coastal wetlands and mangrove forests—has generated measurable economic and ecological outcomes. The preserve attracts approximately 240,000 visitors annually, supports about 239 jobs, and produced $32.7 million in total economic activity during the restoration period, with an additional $3 million in annual recreation-related economic activity post-construction. Monitoring confirmed high numbers of juvenile sport fish—including snook, sheepshead, and red drum—using restored nursery habitat, with tagged snook observed leaving the preserve during spawning season.

SCDES Awards Columbia Fireflies Power of Partnerships Award

The S.C. Department of Environmental Services named the Columbia Fireflies a 2026 recipient of its Power of Partnerships Award on April 23, 2026. SCDES Director Myra Reece presented the award during the April 22 home game at Segra Park in recognition of the team's partnership with the agency's Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling, including enhanced recycling infrastructure and sustainability messaging to fans throughout the baseball season.