USDA Investment Advances Research and Extension Capacity Across 1890 Historically Black Land-grant Universities
WASHINGTON, May 17, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today an investment of $30.8 million as part of its commitment to all 19 of America’s designated 1890 historically black Land-grant Universities.
Idaho company penalized $225,000 for Clean Water Act Violations along St. Joe River
SEATTLE (May 17, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced PotlatchDeltic Land & Lumber, LLC, of St. Maries, Idaho, will pay $225,000 for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act.
PotlatchDeltic sits within the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe’s reservation and discharges into a section of the St. Joe River that is Tribal waters. The St. Joe River flows into Lake Coeur d’ Alene and is critical habitat for bull trout. Under the Clean Water Act, PotlatchDeltic is required to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.
EPA conducted an inspection in March 2017 to evaluate PotlatchDeltic’s compliance with its permits and found PotlatchDeltic had numerous stormwater violations, such as failure to implement corrective actions following continued benchmark exceedances and implement adequate stormwater pollution prevention plan controls.
Stormwater runoff from lumber facilities containing zinc and other pollutants, when not treated and discharged directly into nearby waterbodies, can cause significant harm to rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
PotlatchDeltic agreed to extensive remedies to come into and remain in compliance with its Clean Water Act permits, including facility improvements, construction of a new filtration system and combining its outfalls.
PotlatchDeltic also agreed to perform two mitigation actions designed to protect and enhance habitat for trout and salmon in Hangman Creek on PotlatchDeltic’s property and within the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s reservation. Specifically, PotlatchDeltic will place a Conservation Easement on its property that will provide 100-year, no timber harvest stream buffers of 75-feet along more than 17,800 feet of shoreline for five streams, protecting about 61.25 acres. PotlatchDeltic also agreed to replace four road culverts on its property that are currently blocking fish passage and limiting access to spawning habitat.
“Industrial facilities must have stormwater pollution controls in place to protect our waters,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “We are pleased the company took swift action to improve their operations and prevent pollution — actions that will ultimately help our water quality in the Pacific Northwest.”
PotlatchDeltic sits within the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe’s reservation and discharges into a section of the St. Joe River that is Tribal waters. The St. Joe River flows into Lake Coeur d’ Alene and is critical habitat for bull trout. Under the Clean Water Act, PotlatchDeltic is required to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.
EPA conducted an inspection in March 2017 to evaluate PotlatchDeltic’s compliance with its permits and found PotlatchDeltic had numerous stormwater violations, such as failure to implement corrective actions following continued benchmark exceedances and implement adequate stormwater pollution prevention plan controls.
Stormwater runoff from lumber facilities containing zinc and other pollutants, when not treated and discharged directly into nearby waterbodies, can cause significant harm to rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
PotlatchDeltic agreed to extensive remedies to come into and remain in compliance with its Clean Water Act permits, including facility improvements, construction of a new filtration system and combining its outfalls.
PotlatchDeltic also agreed to perform two mitigation actions designed to protect and enhance habitat for trout and salmon in Hangman Creek on PotlatchDeltic’s property and within the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s reservation. Specifically, PotlatchDeltic will place a Conservation Easement on its property that will provide 100-year, no timber harvest stream buffers of 75-feet along more than 17,800 feet of shoreline for five streams, protecting about 61.25 acres. PotlatchDeltic also agreed to replace four road culverts on its property that are currently blocking fish passage and limiting access to spawning habitat.
“Industrial facilities must have stormwater pollution controls in place to protect our waters,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “We are pleased the company took swift action to improve their operations and prevent pollution — actions that will ultimately help our water quality in the Pacific Northwest.”
Oregon governor proposes $40 million to keep Portland container service alive
The apparent lifeline comes after port officials announced in April that container service at Portland would end in October due to growing financial losses and the inability to find a third-party operator to take over Terminal 6.
USDA Appoints Key Experts and Thought Leaders to Board that Informs USDA’s Science and Research Priorities
WASHINGTON, May 16, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the appointment of 10 members to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. Seven members are new appointments, and three members are re-appointments. Members represent a mix of university, non-profit, and industry representatives.
USDA Highlights Opportunities to Advance Equity in Agricultural Communities at Third Regional Equity Convening
ALBANY, GA, May 16, 2024 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack attended the Regional Equity Convening for the Southeastern Region at the Sherrod Institute’s annual Farm Field Day in Albany, Georgia as the Department highlighted opportunities to advance equity in agricultural and rural communities.
CBP improves South Korea steel exports with Electronic Certification System
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the deployment of the Electronic Certification System (eCERT) to South Korea. The new government-to-…
CBP improves Republic of Korea steel exports with Electronic Certification System
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Republic of Korea held a ribbon cutting ceremony May 15 to celebrate the deployment of the Electronic Certification System (eCERT) to the Republic of Korea. The new government-to-…
EPA holds in-person regional roadshow to help communities access historic Investing in America funding for local climate and environmental justice solutions
COLUMBIA, SC (May 16, 2024) — As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative, a groundbreaking effort to help communities across the nation navigate the EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act investments and other new funding opportunities made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the EPA is hosting a national series of in-person, community-based Regional Roadshow events. On Monday, May 13, 2024, the roadshow stopped in Florence, SC. to provide local leaders opportunities to come together to develop or leverage community-based partnerships to implement local climate and environmental justice solutions.
“EPA’s Regional Roadshow is critical in helping communities learn and cultivate ideas on how to access unprecedented EPA resources to confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice.” said Theresa Segovia, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. “We are so thankful that the communities in Florence, South Carolina have allowed us to share more about EPA’s opportunities, and we look forward to celebrating the work that’s already being done by local leaders and groups.”
“Ensuring that the unprecedented investments from the Inflation Reduction Act—a key component of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda—reach those most profoundly affected by climate and environmental challenges is of critical importance,” said Jennifer Macedonia, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Implementation for the Office of Air and Radiation. “Through EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative and the Regional Roadshow events, we are equipping historically underserved communities with the essential resources, vital information, and unwavering support they need to create needed change.”
“The Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative creates engagements that are designed to spark ideas on how to take advantage of Investing in America programs,” said Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle. “The various sessions provided opportunities for local community leaders to leverage existing community-based partnerships and cultivate ideas on the Inflation Reduction Act and other programs.”
“It was an honor to host the CER Regional Roadshow for Region 4 in Florence, South Carolina. I believe the elements of this program will be a major tool in moving Florence forward and toward being a green city,” said Florence Mayor, Teresa Myers Ervin. “I would personally like to thank CER Regional Roadshow for providing resources for our citizens and neighboring communities, so that they may have access to resources to meet their individual goals.”
"As one of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTAC) serving EPA Region 4 and the State of South Carolina, we were excited to co-sponsor this roadshow event," said Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder and Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. "The event was a great opportunity to share information about the technical assistance and training our Center offers to help community-based organizations seize this moment of opportunity to secure funding to accelerate their community vision for change."
Through this initiative, the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation and Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights are providing spaces for communities to develop new or deeper community-based partnerships. Regional Roadshow attendees will learn about historic funding and technical assistance through programming that is designed to be especially helpful for overburdened communities. These events will help them confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice locally as they learn, connect, and cultivate ideas on how to access these extraordinary resources.
Discover more and register for the Regional Roadshow event in Florence, SC.
Upcoming Regional Roadshow Events and Community, Equity & Resiliency Resources
To learn more about the Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative, watch the Virtual Open House panel discussions and fireside chats, access resources to help communities and register for upcoming events, visit the EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency webpage.
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“EPA’s Regional Roadshow is critical in helping communities learn and cultivate ideas on how to access unprecedented EPA resources to confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice.” said Theresa Segovia, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. “We are so thankful that the communities in Florence, South Carolina have allowed us to share more about EPA’s opportunities, and we look forward to celebrating the work that’s already being done by local leaders and groups.”
“Ensuring that the unprecedented investments from the Inflation Reduction Act—a key component of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda—reach those most profoundly affected by climate and environmental challenges is of critical importance,” said Jennifer Macedonia, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Implementation for the Office of Air and Radiation. “Through EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative and the Regional Roadshow events, we are equipping historically underserved communities with the essential resources, vital information, and unwavering support they need to create needed change.”
“The Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative creates engagements that are designed to spark ideas on how to take advantage of Investing in America programs,” said Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle. “The various sessions provided opportunities for local community leaders to leverage existing community-based partnerships and cultivate ideas on the Inflation Reduction Act and other programs.”
“It was an honor to host the CER Regional Roadshow for Region 4 in Florence, South Carolina. I believe the elements of this program will be a major tool in moving Florence forward and toward being a green city,” said Florence Mayor, Teresa Myers Ervin. “I would personally like to thank CER Regional Roadshow for providing resources for our citizens and neighboring communities, so that they may have access to resources to meet their individual goals.”
"As one of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTAC) serving EPA Region 4 and the State of South Carolina, we were excited to co-sponsor this roadshow event," said Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder and Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. "The event was a great opportunity to share information about the technical assistance and training our Center offers to help community-based organizations seize this moment of opportunity to secure funding to accelerate their community vision for change."
Through this initiative, the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation and Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights are providing spaces for communities to develop new or deeper community-based partnerships. Regional Roadshow attendees will learn about historic funding and technical assistance through programming that is designed to be especially helpful for overburdened communities. These events will help them confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice locally as they learn, connect, and cultivate ideas on how to access these extraordinary resources.
Discover more and register for the Regional Roadshow event in Florence, SC.
Upcoming Regional Roadshow Events and Community, Equity & Resiliency Resources
To learn more about the Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative, watch the Virtual Open House panel discussions and fireside chats, access resources to help communities and register for upcoming events, visit the EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency webpage.
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