Yearly Archives: 2015
Testing of fish from the Ohio River (Louisville to Paducah) demonstrates safe mercury levels
POV
June 22, 2015
Mercury levels in fish are not as high as previously estimated. The water quality standard for mercury is based on methyl mercury (CH3Hg+), which is the bioavailable fraction of total mercury. The current standard for methyl mercury is 0.3 mg/Kg and was developed for safe human consumption of fish. (Excess mercury is a health concern […]
New WOTUS Rule has been Finalized
POV
June 1, 2015
After a yearlong regulatory process, the Waters of the US rule has been finalized. This rule purports to clarify the definition of a “water” and thereby more clearly define those areas that are regulated under the Clean Water Act. The text of the new rule can be found here. In multiple press releases, EPA has said that […]
Bat Conservation Strategy & Conservation MOA Update
POV
May 26, 2015
SMG attended Bat Conservation Strategy & Conservation MOA training hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Kentucky Field Office last week. Topics included the threatened species listing and interim rule for the Northern Long-eared Bat which went into effect May 4th, 2015. Earlier this week, we briefly described the interim rule. Additionally, training […]
Revised Draft Bill in U.S. House Builds on Momentum to Reform TSCA
POV
May 26, 2015
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment and Economy released an updated draft of “The TSCA Modernization Act of 2015,” on May 13, 2015. This draft intends to reform and modernize the decades-old Toxic Substance Control Act. The TSCA Modernization discussion draft states that “the goal is to provide the public with […]
POTW Pretreatment Program
POV
May 26, 2015
This blog installment describing a Pretreatment Program discusses the Pretreatment Program and its important elements. Once the determination has been made that a POTW requires a pretreatment program, NPDES permit will be modified to include the requirement to develop and submit the program to the State for review and approval. Pretreatment Program must contain the […]