A comprehensive summary of today’s judicial, legislative, and regulatory developments in agriculture and food. Email important additions HERE.
REGULATORY: EPA, FCA, FWS, NOAA
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Notice announcing a public meeting of the chartered EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB). The purpose of the meeting is to (1) review the scientific and technical basis of the proposed rule “Revised Definition of Waters of the United States”; and (2) discuss recommendations received from the SAB Work Group for Review of Science Supporting EPA Decisions. Info here.
Notice announcing a 15-day public comment period on the pool of twenty candidates for the external peer review of the Biofuels and the Environment: Third Triennial Report to Congress. Info here.
Notice announcing the EPA’s order for the cancellations, voluntarily requested by the registrant and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 of Unit II, pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Info here.
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
Notice announcing that the FCA is amending certain regulations to address changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These amendments modify FCA’s capital and other regulations, including certain regulatory disclosure requirements. Info here.
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Notice announcing that FWS received an application from Jordan Creek Wind LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC, for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act, for its Jordan Creek Wind Energy Center. Info here.
Notice announcing that FWS received an application from Fowler Ridge Wind Farm LLC, Fowler Ridge II Wind Farm LLC, Fowler Ridge III Wind Farm LLC, and Fowler Ridge IV Wind Farm LLC, collectively referred to as Fowler Ridge, to amend an existing incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act, for its Fowler Ridge Wind Farm. Info here.
Notice announcing that FWS received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Info here.
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Final rule announcing routine inseason adjustments to the harvest limits for incidental Pacific halibut retention in the sablefish primary fishery. This action decreases the incidental Pacific halibut catch limit to ensure equitable harvest opportunities without exceeding the harvest limit. Info here.
Notice announcing that NOAA/NMFS renewed Section 10(a)1(A) scientific enhancement Permit 20085-2R to Stillwater Sciences Inc. Authorized activities within the permit are expected to affect and enhance the threatened South Central California Coast Distinct Population Segment of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) through invasive species removal from a southern California watershed (Chorro Creek) in San Luis Obispo County, California. Info here.
Notice announcing that NOAA/NMFS received a request from the City of Hoonah for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization with the only change being effective dates. Info here.
Notice announcing that NOAA/NMFS has received a request from NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic Holdings, LLC for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to high-resolution geophysical site characterization surveys off the coast of New Jersey. Info here.
Notice announcing that NOAA/NMFS has received a request from Hilcorp Alaska LLC for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to tugboats towing a drill rig in Cook Inlet, Alaska. Info here.