The Environmental Protection Agency is requesting nominations for the first-ever EPA Mid-Atlantic Environmental Achievement Awards to recognize individuals and groups making significant contributions to reducing pollution or protecting public health and the environment in the region. The awards will be presented in three categories: non-profit or volunteer organization; business or industry; and state, local, or federal government agency. Nominations are due June 30, 2008. For more information, link to the 2008 Mid-Atlantic Environmental Achievement Awards. (6-4-08)

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A report documenting U.S. environmental quality indicators has been issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose of the 2008 Report on the Environment "is to create a reliable set of information that can be used for year-to-year comparisons as well as planning,” the agency said. The report includes both positive and negative trends. For more information, link to EPA's 2008 Report on the Environment. (5-20-08).

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A report published by EPA’s National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT) recommends that the agency make environmental stewardship its “unifying theme and ethic” and “strive to become the world’s premier stewardship model and catalyst” by integrating regulatory programs, grants, voluntary partnerships, information programs, and other tools to that end. For more information, link to Everyone’s Business: Working Towards Sustainability Through Environmental Stewardship and Collaboration. (March 2008)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a new web-based multimedia portal to serve as a one-stop location for environmental video, audio/podcasts, and photography. The website includes several interactive features, including an “Ask EPA” forum; the deputy administrator’s blog, “Flow of the River”; and “EPA in Action,” which highlights behind-the-scenes work of EPA scientists, engineers, environmental experts, and other officials on environmental issues. For more information, link to EPA’s Multimedia Portal website. (2-25-08)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has released its proposed budget for fiscal year 2009. The $7.14 billion budget includes additional funding for energy and homeland security, urban areas around major ports, and nanotechnology research. For more information, link to the Press Release and the EPA Office of the Chief Finanical Officer’s Budget website. (2-4-08)

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A final rule published by EPA amends its procedures for implementing requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The rule consolidates and standardizes the procedures and requirements of the agency's environmental review process under NEPA, including procedures for categorical exclusions, extraordinary circumstances, listing of actions that generally require an environmental impact statement, and consideration of applicable environmental review laws and executive orders. The rule also includes technical amendments to the procedures for implementing Executive Order 12114, ``Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions.'' The rule is effective Oct. 19, 2007. For more information, link to the NEPA Implementing Procedures Final Rule. (9-19-07)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has released a draft standard specifying the parameters for mapping wetlands that will be uploaded to the National Wetlands Inventory and incorporated into the wetlands segment of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure map produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. The standard, which is based on the existing draft standard used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is intended to support the transition from traditional paper-based mapping to digital-based mapping and to serve as a national standard for wetland mapping. Comments on the draft standard are due Nov. 9, 2007. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice. (8-7-07)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has released new guidance that describes how credits generated by water quality improvements in streams, lakes, and rivers can be used by wastewater treatment plants and other industries to meet effluent limits designed to preserve water quality. The agency describes the document as the first “how-to” manual on designing and implementing water quality trading programs consistent with EPA’s 2003 National Water Quality Trading Policy. The document provides National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting authorities with tools to incorporate trading provisions into permits. For more information, link to the Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers. (8-7-07)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has released its draft 2007 Report on the Environment: Highlights of National Trends. The report is organized around 25 topics of importance EPA and is intended to help citizens follow national trends in the condition of air, water, and land resources in the United States. The report summarizes important findings of the more comprehensive companion draft report, 2007 Report on the Environment: Science Report. Comments are due Sept. 17, 2007. For more information, link to EPA’s 2007 Report on the Environment: Highlights of National Trends. (8-3-07)

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The Environmental Protection Agency is requesting applications for the annual Clean Air Excellence Awards, which recognize programs, projects, or technologies that reduce air emissions. Categories for the 2007 awards include: Clean Air Technology; Community Development/Redevelopment; Education/Outreach; Regulatory/Policy Innovations; Transportation Efficiency Innovations; Gregg Cooke Visionary Program Award; Thomas W. Zosel Outstanding Individual Achievement Award. Applications are due Sept. 21, 2007. For more information, link to the EPA Clean Air Excellence Awards Program website. (8-3-07)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a new website designed to help the tribal community and the public locate tribal environmental information through a single, web-based source. The new website consolidates tribal environmental information from EPA programs such as enforcement, waste, underground storage tanks, and water. For more information, link to EPA’s American Indian Tribal Portal website. (7-26-07)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has posted its draft 2007 Report on the Environment: Science Report for public comment prior to the formal public, scientific peer review by EPA’s Science Advisory Board in July 2007. The report is intended to compile the most current and reliable indicators for understanding critical trends in the environment and human health, and to identify gaps or limitations in those indicators. Comments are due June 25, 2007. For more information, link to the draft report and accompanying Federal Register Notice. (5-10-07)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has developed a new air quality tool, AirCompare, that provides local air quality information to help people make decisions about moving to or vacationing in different parts of the country. The online tool uses EPA’s Air Quality Index to explain air quality from a health perspective and allows searches of EPA air quality databases for information on air quality in counties across the country. The new tool also includes a trip planner. For more information, link to EPA’s AirCompare website. (5-3-07)

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The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a new website designed to help business, government, and private citizens make informed decisions on a variety of environmental stewardship issues such as energy efficiency, recycling, or pesticide safety. The website allows users to search EPA partnership programs, provides tips for practicing environmental stewardship, and includes links to related resources. For more information, link to EPA’s Environmental Stewardship website. (5-2-07)

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The Federal Highway Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency will work together in implementing their separate "asset management" programs for water and transportation infrastructure, according to a memorandum of understanding dated July 11, 2006. Under the agreement, "intend to exchange information, coordinate activities, provide opportunities for cross-training, and provide technical expertise and assistance in support of each other's Infrastructure Asset Management Programs," the document said. For more information, access the Memorandum of Understanding Between EPA and FHWA: Infrastructure Asset Management Technology Exchange.

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A report issued by EPA on May 1 documents the agency’s Sector Strategies Program. The program represents more than 20 national trade associations – from 12 major sectors of the U.S. economy – that are working with EPA to improve their environmental performance while also reducing unnecessary administrative burden. The participating sectors represent more than 780,000 facilities in manufacturing (cement, forest products, steel, metal casting, metal finishing, paint and coatings, shipbuilding, and specialty-batch chemical) and non-manufacturing sectors (colleges and universities, construction, ports, and agribusiness). For more information, access the 2006 Sector Strategies Performance Report.

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Stephen L. Johnson was formally sworn-in by President George W. Bush during a May 23 ceremony in Washington D.C. This marks the first time a career scientist has become the Administrator of the EPA, the agency says. Visit the EPA website for details.

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The Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting grant proposals for partnership projects that demonstrate the applicability and feasibility of implementation of EPA and/or California Air Resources Board verified (or certified) pollution reduction retrofit technologies in nonroad vehicles and equipment such as those used in construction or port-related activities. Applications will be accepted from state, local, multi-state, and tribal agencies, and other non-profit organizations. EPA plans to award eight to 12 cooperative agreements, each ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. The closing date is July 1, 2005. Visit the EPA website for more information on the grant (RFA# OAR-CCD-05-14).

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Local government, industry, and citizen groups were recognized for their innovative efforts in 2004 to make the air cleaner at the fifth annual Clean Air Excellence Awards ceremony held April 7, 2005, in Washington, D.C. Get more information on the awards from the EPA website .

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The Environmental Protection Agency's National Center for Environmental Innovation (NCEI) March 7 solicited grant proposals from institutions interested in promoting innovations to improve the environmental results of state and federal programs. Proposals are due April 21, 2005. Access a PDF version of the solicitation notice [PDF 43kb].

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Stephen L. Johnson has been nominated to become the eleventh Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Johnson, currently Acting Administrator, has been with EPA 24 years, the agency said. Johnson's nomination now goes to the U.S. Senate for confirmation. Read more about the nomination at the Whitehouse website.

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President Bush's 2006 budget would provide $7.6 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, the administration announced Feb. 7. EPA officials said the budget "supports the Agency's core work of protecting public health and improving the environment, addresses needs identified in the EPA's Strategic Plan, and increases resources for EPA's critical role in security against terrorist acts." Get more information on the EPA budget.

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The Environmental Protection Agency has released two draft documents related to air quality. The external review draft of "Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Other Photochemical Oxidants" is being released for a 90-day comment period. The agency also released the second draft staff assessment of the policy implications of the latest scientific and technical information about particulate matter (PM). View the draft document on ozone. Get more information on the particulate matter draft document.

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The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers announce Dec. 20 that they will intensify their efforts to use a watershed-based approach to make management decisions. The agencies signed the Watershed Management Partnership Agreement to promote watershed health, economic sustainability and community vitality through effective management of the Nations watersheds. As part of the agreement, the corps and EPA said they will identify pilot projects and local initiatives "that will support watershed restoration, stewardship, and management efforts." These efforts may include projects or interagency guidance on the use of best management practices and on innovative approaches to control water pollution. Visit the EPA website for more information on the agreement.

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EPA announces a nation-wide assessment to improve the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit programs. This assessment, dubbed Permitting for Environmental Results (PER), is the result of a 16-month effort by the states and EPA to evaluate the management of NPDES programs. The effort is documented in 33 NPDES individual state profiles, with the remaining state profiles to be released in early 2005. View information on the PER strategy. Read general information about the NPDES permit program.

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The Environmental Protection Agency formally designates 224 counties as nonattainment areas for the health-based air quality standard for fine particles--those 2.5 microns in diameter or less. EPA said 2,909 counties with a total population of 192 million meet the standard. Visit the EPA website for more details about the designations.

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