Regulatory Alerts

USDA Seeks Comments on Implementation of Climate Change Mitigation Measures

On March 16, the Department of Agriculture published a request for public comment about the implementation of Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Comments due April 29.

NOAA Seeks Comments and Recommendations to Make Fisheries More Resilient to Climate Change

On March 3, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published a request for public comment about the implementation of Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, as it relates to fisheries. Comments due April 2.

EPA Delays Effective Date of Lead and Copper Rule Revisions and Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule Further Delaying Effective Date of Lead and Copper Rule Revisions

On March 12, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice that a revised rule regarding lead and copper under the Safe Drinking Water Act would not go into effect until June 17. Additionally, the agency seeks comment on a proposed rule to delay the revisions until December 16. Public comments on the proposed rule are due April 12.

EPA Seeks Comments on Proposed Revisions to The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) for Public Water Systems

On March 11, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposed revision to the Safe Drinking Water Act which would require certain public water systems to collect data for 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and for lithium. Comments due May 10.

APHIS Reopens Comments on Whether to Regulate Movement of Animals Modified or Developed by Genetic Engineering

On March 8, the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reopened the comment period on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit comments and feedback on whether to establish a regulatory framework for the movement of animals modified or developed through genetic engineering. Written comments are now due May 7.

NMFS Extends Comment Period on Designations of Critical Habitat for Ringed Seals and Beringia Distinct Population Segment of Bearded Seals

On March 9, the Department of Commerce’s National Marine Fisheries Service extended the comment period on two proposed rules to establish critical habitat for ringed and bearded seals in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. Comments due April 8.

Regulatory News

OSHA Issues New COVID-19 National Emphasis Plan and Interim Enforcement Response Plan

On March 12, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued two documents on COVID-19 and workplace enforcement. The first is a National Emphasis Program, focusing on companies with the largest number of workers at risk of contracting COVID-19. The second is an update to the Interim Enforcement Response Plan which prioritizes on-site inspections when practical.

More Regulatory Alerts

DOI Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule to List Arizona Eryngo as an Endangered Species and Establish Critical Habitat Designation

On March 4, 2021, the Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service published a proposed rule to list the Arizona Eryngo as an endangered species and designate 13 acres in Arizona for critical habitat. Written comments due May 3.

FWS Delays Effective Date and Requests Comments on Final Rule Revising Designation of Critical Habitat for The Northern Spotted Owl

On March 1, the Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service published a notice delaying the effective date and reopening the comment period on a final rule to revise the critical habitat designation for the Northern Spotted Owl. Comments are now due March 31.

OSHA Proposes Revisions to Hazard Communication Standard

On February 16, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration published a notice of proposed rulemaking to modify its Hazard Communication Standard to conform to the latest revisions to the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. Comments on the revisions are due April 19.

EPA’s Extends Public Comment Period for Its Proposed Toxic Substance Control Act Fee Revisions

On February 23, the Environmental Protection agency published a notice to extend the comment period by 30 days for its proposed revisions for its 2018 fees rule under the Toxic Substance Control Act. The new comment deadline is March 27, 2021.