Fried Asks New EPA Head To Reconsider Recent Fla Wetlands Permitting Move wjct.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wjct.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Credit: Montgomery County Planning Commission from Flickr
An aeration tank at a wastewater treatment facility
New Jersey made progress this year in its efforts to remove contaminants from drinking water, upgrade its antiquated system of storm drains in 21 cities and ensure that new real-estate developments include measures to control stormwater.
Newark replaced most of the lead service lines that poisoned drinking water for thousands of people; Gov. Phil Murphy’s midyear budget included for the first time a $60 million line item for water-infrastructure upgrades and state officials sued a South Jersey chemical company for polluting water and soil with toxic “forever chemicals” that may threaten public health.
THE HOUSE AND SENATE
Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of Dec. 21-25.
POLICE CHANGES (S 2963)
House 107-50, Senate 31-9, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a new version of a bill making major changes in the state’s policing system. The House and Senate adopted some of Gov. Baker’s amendments including scaling back a moratorium on the use of facial recognition software by law enforcement and limiting the influence of a civilian-led commission over police training.
A key provision creates an independent, civilian-led commission with the power to investigate police misconduct and to certify, restrict, revoke or suspend certification for police officers and maintain a publicly available database of decertified officers. Other provisions include banning the use of chokeholds; limiting the use of deadly force; requiring police officers who witness another officer using force beyond what is necessary or rea
Though the entire world was dominated by Covid this year, North Queens was certainly the first section of the city to truly feel its effects. The largely Asian population faced Covid-19 induced discrimination and small shops suffered from a severe drop in business, a struggle they continued to combat throughout the remainder of the year.
Despite the hardships, North Queens pushed through and celebrated many good times â award ceremonies honored its leaders, DJs played free concerts for neighbors, activists took a stand and more.
Hereâs a look back at what the first six months of the infamous 2020 looked like in North Queens.
WLRN
Florida wants to take over permitting wetlands from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, drawing criticism from environmentalists who worry more wetlands will be lost.
State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has asked incoming Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to reconsider a recent EPA decision that shifted federal permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands.
Fried released a letter Wednesday that she sent to Regan, who has been tapped by President-elect Joe Biden to lead the EPA. Supporters this month praised the Trump administration’s decision to shift the permitting authority to Florida, saying it would help reduce duplicative state and federal permitting and give Florida more control over such decisions.