Clean Water Act

California Coastal Conservancy Approves Beneficial Use of Dredged Sediment for San Francisco Bay Wetland Restoration

California’s State Coastal Conservancy has approved, and filed a Notice of Determination for, a grant‑funded agreement with USACE to beneficially reuse dredged sediment from federal navigation channels at wetland restoration sites around San Francisco Bay under RWQCB’s existing CWA Section 401 certification and Waste Discharge Requirements. This locks in long‑term dredging and sediment placement operations through 2034 but requires ongoing sediment‑quality testing and multi‑agency coordination, signalling continued scrutiny of contamination risks and operational constraints for dredging contractors and restoration sponsors in the Bay.

10 Apr 2026, 15:28ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

Minnesota MPCA Seeks Comment on Draft Buffalo River and Upper Red River TMDL, WRAPS, and 2017 TMDL Revision

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has opened a public comment period through May 21, 2026, on draft water quality restoration plans for the Buffalo River and Upper Red River watersheds. Businesses with wastewater discharge permits in these regions should review proposed pollutant load reductions and revised allocation tables to assess potential impacts on future permit limits.

9 Apr 2026, 14:10scs-public.s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.comUnited States

North Carolina DEQ Opens March–April 2026 Comment Periods on Multiple Air, Solid Waste, and NPDES Permits

North Carolina DEQ has opened multiple public comment periods through April 2026 for air, wastewater, and solid waste permits across several industrial facilities. Impacted operators must review draft permit conditions and compliance orders now to ensure operational flexibility and mitigate future enforcement risks.

9 Apr 2026, 10:23deq.nc.govUnited States

US White House Proposes FY2027 Budget With Deep Cuts To EPA And Science Agencies

The US White House released its FY2027 budget request, proposing a 52% funding cut to the EPA and significant reductions for science agencies like the NSF and NIH. If enacted, these cuts would severely constrain federal environmental enforcement, Superfund remediation, and the scientific research that underpins chemical and health regulations.

6 Apr 2026, 20:10whitehouse.govUnited States

US House Committee Reports Local Water Protection Act on Clean Water Act Nonpoint Source Grants

The US House Committee has advanced the Local Water Protection Act to reauthorize $200 million in annual Clean Water Act grants for nonpoint source pollution management through 2031. This move reinforces a voluntary, state-led approach to watershed management, providing long-term funding stability for runoff projects without introducing new federal regulatory mandates.

5 Apr 2026, 19:27govinfo.govUnited States

US DOJ Seeks Comment on Clean Water Act Consent Decree Modification for Columbia, South Carolina

The US DOJ has proposed modifying a Clean Water Act consent decree for Columbia, South Carolina, requiring four additional sewer-capacity projects by 2029. This site-specific enforcement update underscores the long-term compliance costs and infrastructure obligations associated with municipal wastewater management and federal water quality standards.

4 Apr 2026, 11:48govinfo.govUnited States

US BLM Initiates EIS Scoping for Bridger Pipeline Expansion Project (Montana–Wyoming)

The US BLM has initiated the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for the 647-mile Bridger Pipeline Expansion, with public scoping comments due by May 1, 2026. This marks the start of a multi-year federal and state permitting cycle that will scrutinize environmental, tribal, and land-use impacts for this major crude oil infrastructure project.

4 Apr 2026, 10:55federalregister.govUnited States

Delaware Senate Introduces SB 9 to Create Statewide Nontidal Wetlands Permitting Program

Delaware has introduced SB 9 to establish a comprehensive state-level permitting program for tidal and nontidal wetlands, filling gaps in federal jurisdiction. Businesses in development, infrastructure, and agriculture should prepare for expanded state oversight, mandatory mitigation, and a "no net loss" standard for project approvals.

3 Apr 2026, 18:40legis.delaware.govUnited States

Minnesota: City of Duluth Reaches Settlement With MPCA and DNR Over 2024 Fish Kill

The City of Duluth has settled with Minnesota regulators for $202,000 following a 2024 discharge of treated drinking water that caused a significant fish kill. This enforcement action underscores the high liability risks associated with municipal water management and signals stricter oversight of stormwater pollution prevention programs in the region.

3 Apr 2026, 18:10pca.state.mn.usUnited States

Wisconsin DNR Updates Wastewater WET Reporting and Coordination Procedures

The Wisconsin DNR has updated administrative procedures for Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) reporting, including a transition to electronic-only submissions and the certification of a new laboratory provider. While permit limits remain unchanged, industrial facilities must update their internal compliance workflows and contact lists to ensure reporting alignment with the new digital submission requirements.

3 Apr 2026, 18:04links-1.govdelivery.comUnited States

Nebraska DWEE Posts New Water Quality and CAFO Public Comment Notices

Nebraska has opened public comment periods for Clean Water Act Section 401 certifications and agricultural nutrient management plans, with deadlines through May 2026. These site-specific actions signal continued regulatory focus on water quality compliance and nutrient runoff for infrastructure and livestock operations.

2 Apr 2026, 08:37dee.nebraska.govUnited States

Minnesota MPCA Seeks Comment on Expanded NPDES/SDS Permit for Annandale/Maple Lake/Howard Lake Wastewater Facility (MN0066966)

The Minnesota MPCA is proposing to reissue and significantly expand a regional wastewater permit with stricter discharge limits for nutrients and metals, with comments due by June 1, 2026. This move highlights a trend toward regionalized wastewater infrastructure and tighter environmental standards that may impact operational costs and capacity for local industrial and municipal stakeholders.

2 Apr 2026, 08:34scs-public.s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.comUnited States

Pennsylvania SB 1236 Proposes NPDES Waivers for Eligible Small Construction Sites

Pennsylvania introduced SB 1236 to allow NPDES stormwater permit waivers for small construction projects (1-5 acres) meeting federal criteria. This proposal aims to reduce administrative burdens and accelerate project timelines for eligible small-scale land disturbances by aligning state permitting with federal exemptions.

2 Apr 2026, 08:34legis.state.pa.usUnited States

Nevada NDEP Seeks Comment on CWA Section 401 Certifications for Lake Shore Blvd Revetment Projects

Nevada has opened a public comment period until 29 April 2026 for Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certifications regarding shoreline revetment projects in Douglas County. While project-specific, these certifications signal ongoing strict state oversight of infrastructure activities impacting water quality in the sensitive Lake Tahoe basin.

2 Apr 2026, 07:56ndep.nv.govUnited States

Nevada NDEP Seeks Comment on Lake Tahoe 401 Certifications for Lake Shore Blvd Revetments

Nevada NDEP is seeking public comment until April 29, 2026, on Section 401 water quality certifications for shoreline protection projects at Lake Tahoe. These certifications will establish enforceable state water quality conditions for federal permits, highlighting the ongoing regulatory scrutiny of construction activities in sensitive aquatic environments.

2 Apr 2026, 07:55ndep.nv.govUnited States

Iowa DNR Seeks Comment on Water Quality Plan Addendums for Hickory Grove and Otter Creek Lakes

Iowa DNR has released draft Water Quality Improvement Plan addendums for Hickory Grove and Otter Creek Lakes, targeting turbidity and phosphorus impairments. Businesses operating within these watersheds should monitor potential changes to discharge requirements or land-use practices as these plans move toward EPA approval and implementation.

1 Apr 2026, 14:32iowadnr.govUnited States

Minnesota MPCA Fines Long Prairie Rendering Facility $3 Million for Hydrogen Sulphide Violations

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued a $3 million penalty and mandated $4.4 million in environmental upgrades following persistent hydrogen sulphide and wastewater violations. This enforcement signals a shift toward more aggressive oversight of industrial air quality and the mandatory redirection of significant fine revenues toward community-based environmental justice initiatives.

1 Apr 2026, 14:25pca.state.mn.usUnited States

Nevada NDEP Proposes NPDES Permit Renewal for Swan Products LLC (NV0021091)

Nevada regulators proposed a five-year renewal of the NPDES wastewater discharge permit for a PVC garden hose manufacturing facility in March 2026. This renewal underscores the ongoing operational compliance obligations for industrial cooling water discharge and the sustained regulatory scrutiny of water quality in the plastics sector.

31 Mar 2026, 21:28ndep.nv.govUnited States

US Congress Introduces Protect American AI Act of 2026 For Data Center Environmental Permits

The U.S. House introduced the Protect American AI Act of 2026 in March 2026 to streamline environmental permitting for data centers and AI infrastructure. If enacted, the bill would significantly reduce project delays by preventing court-ordered permit vacatur and shortening litigation windows, providing greater regulatory certainty for large-scale digital infrastructure investments.

31 Mar 2026, 21:25congress.govUnited States

Alaska DEC Releases Proposed Final APDES General Permit for Industrial Stormwater Discharges for Review

Alaska has released the proposed final Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial stormwater discharges, entering a final review window through April 6, 2026. Impacted facilities across 29 industrial sectors must prepare for updated sector-specific control measures and monitoring requirements ahead of formal permit reissuance.

29 Mar 2026, 18:41aws.state.ak.usUnited States