Seven nonprofit groups have filed suit against the Council on Environmental Quality, challenging the administration’s newly released final rule updating its regulations instructing federal agencies on how to implement the National Environmental Protection Act.
Groups Challenge New NEPA Regulations
CEQ Issues Final NEPA Overhaul Rule
The Council on Environmental Quality issued a final rule updating its regulations instructing federal agencies on how to implement the National Environmental Protection Act. The rule limits what “effects” must be considered under the Act and sets a two-year time limit to complete environmental impact statements and a one-year time limit to complete environmental assessments. The rule is set to take effect on September 14, 2020.
EPA Finalizes Clean Water Act Section 401 Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule updating the substantive and procedural requirements for water quality certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The rule is effective as of September 11, 2020.
EPA to End Suspension of Reporting Requirements
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will end its controversial policy of suspending reporting requirements for certain entities during the coronavirus outbreak.
Groups Petition USDA to Ban Mass Burial and Incineration of Farmed Animals
A coalition of nonprofit groups have petitioned the United States Department of Agriculture to ban “depopulation” methods used on factory farms, including mass burial of animals in unlined pits and incineration of animals.
Chicken Plant Sanctioned for Over-Redacting Documents in Discovery
A Colorado judge has sanctioned a chicken processing plant for over-redacting documents produced in discovery in a suit over alleged water pollution.
Article Explores CAFO Regulations
A new article, adapted from a chapter of the forthcoming second edition of the book What Can Animal Law Learn From Environmental Law?, provides suggestions for improving market imbalances between CAFOs and smaller operations and offers suggestions for modifying animal welfare and environmental laws.
Three New Lawsuits Challenge WOTUS Rule
Three new lawsuits brought by two different coalitions of environmental groups [1, 2] and a coalition of Native American tribes challenge the Trump administration’s newest Waters of the United States rule that narrows the scope of the Clean Water Act to exclude many wetlands. The rule excludes wetlands that do not have surface water connections to intermittent or perennial streams, streams that only flow during rainfall or snowmelt, and prior converted cropland.
Using Social Media to Reduce Meat Consumption
A chapter entitled Less Meat, Less Heat—The Potential of Social Marketing to Reduce Meat Consumption published in the book Innovations for Metropolitan Areas considers tactics to reduce meat consumption in order to address climate change.