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| EPA Expands Policy for Consultation with State, Local Governments on Rulemaking |
| The Environmental Protection Agency will offer state and local governments greater involvement in the development of federal environmental regulations under a revised consultation policy. Under the new policy EPA will automatically consult with organizations representing state and local governments if proposed regulations or policies would cost more than $25 million to implement, compared with a previous threshold of $100 million. The revised policy updates consultation requirements set forth under the 1999 executive order on federalism (No. 13132). For more information, link to the news release. (11-19-08)
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| Administration Directs Federal Agencies to Develop National Environmental Indicators |
| A joint announcement of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Office of Management and Budget, and Office of Science and Technology Policy directs federal agencies to being developing national environmental indicators to be used to analyze national trends and assess the impact of federal programs on the environment and natural resources. The notice also announces a National Environmental Status and Trends (NEST) pilot project intended to produce “consistent, regularly recurring indicators in the area of water quantity and quality.” For more information, link to the press release and a White House letter and policy memorandum issued to federal agencies about the environmental indicators program. (6-17-08)
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| CEQ Issues Fourth Annual Report on Status of Nation's Wetlands |
| The Council on Environmental Quality has released the fourth in a series of annual reports describing how federal agencies are implementing President Bush's goal to conserve 3 million acres of wetlands by Earth Day 2009. The report finds that the goal Bush announced on Earth Day 2004 has been achieved a year early, with a total of 3.6 million acres of wetlands restored or created, improved, or protected. The report also anticipates an additional 893,000 acres of wetlands will be conserved by Earth Day 2009. For more information, link to Conserving America’s Wetlands 2008: Four Years of Partnering in Accomplishing the President’s Goal. (April 2008)
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| CEQ Publishes Citizen's Guide to NEPA |
| The Council on Environmental Quality has published a new Citizen’s Guide to the National Environmental Policy Act. The guide provides an explanation of NEPA; how it is implemented; and how citizens, organizations, and representatives of state, local, or tribal government can better participate in NEPA activities conducted by federal agencies. For more information, link to A Citizen's Guide to the NEPA - Having Your Voice Heard. (December 2007) [back to top] | | |
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