Fri, 01/22/2021 - 3:39pm
The Dunleavy administration argues the Alaska Statehood Act requires it to challenge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ denial of a key wetlands permit for the Pebble project.
The state appeal claims that decision was made using an unprecedented evaluation of the project’s environmental impacts.
Acting Attorney General Ed Sniffen signed the state’s 59-page brief on Friday appealing the Corps Alaska District’s November record of decision denying Pebble construction permits. Dunleavy said Jan. 8 the state would appeal the Corps’ decision in a move many opponents of the mine contend directly contradicts the governor’s long standing insistence that he is “neutral” towards Pebble.
lgriffo@tahoedailytribune.com
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection announced that $1 million in Clean Water Act grant funds provided by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency will be used to complete 11 projects, including two in Lake Tahoe, to reduce “nonpoint source pollution” and improve water quality across the state.
The EPA used to focus solely on point sources, i.e. chemicals being leached from pipes into the water as the water flowed through. They later realized nonpoint source water pollution was also a major issue.
Nonpoint source water pollution degrades Nevada’s water resources when rain, snowmelt and irrigation water flows over developed or disturbed land, carrying with it pollutants including oil, sediment, pesticides, bacteria and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus which can contribute to excess algae growth. This polluted water makes its way into Nevada’s waterways either directly or through storm drains, and
The Corps issues two types of Clean Water Act Section 404 permits.
An individual permit authorizes specific activities on a case-by-case basis.
In contrast, a NWP is a general permit that provides standing permission for all activities that fit the description of the permit. Such permits provide for preauthorized permission for activities that conform to the standards of the NWP. Certain NWPs do require some type of authorization from or notice to the Corps prior to starting work.
The Corps is required to periodically renew expiring NWPs. However, besides renewing the existing permits, the Corps also typically takes this opportunity to revise or add certain NWPs.
Brainstorming New Ideas For Improved Stormwater Infrastructure
Planning how to address environment-impacting, water-infrastructure challenges reducing stormwater runoff pollution, reducing sewer overflows, and protecting rivers and streams that serve as drinking water supplies for downstream towns can be an intimidating task. A recent report from the Environment America Research & Policy Center cites many examples that can serve as beacons for municipalities large and small.
Learning From The Experience Of Others
For decision-makers confronted by stormwater, combined sewer systems, aging wastewater infrastructure, and other environmental challenges,
A Path To Cleaner Water identifies more than 20 idea-generating projects. It also includes more than 120 unique URL links to supporting information to enable interested parties to learn about them in greater detail. The combined coverage shares a wealth of insights to projects large and small from small, stormwater solutions to