Learn about what the future may hold for the 'Waters of the United States'. The land use development process requires the identification of Federal jurisdictional waters and wetlands on a project site or along a project corridor. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) published revised definition of ‘Waters of the United States' found at 40 CFR Part 230, on June 29, 2015, effective A...

Are you up-to-date with the new regulations of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Right-of-Way? The new Bureau of Indian Affairs' Right-of-Way regulations have a considerable impact throughout Indian country, for both tribes and businesses involved in negotiations and economic opportunities on tribal lands. This topic will provide you with an overview of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' New Right-of-Way requirements. The new regulations will be compar...

Storm water and flooding comprise major and growing risks to cities, transportation systems, people, and the environment. Flooding has long been the major cause of property damage, and recent catastrophes such as hurricanes Matthew, Sandy and Katrina have exacerbated the total losses and created chain effects in the economy. While storm water control was considered a drainage issue in the past, it has expanded to include regulation under the C...

Understand Federal mitigation regulations and the process for addressing mitigation as part of the permitting of development projects. Most impacts to wetlands, streams and other waters (i.e., aquatic resources) occurring from development activities, like a road crossing or construction of a utility corridor, require permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with the oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Ty...

Learn how to identify and handle the more difficult aspects of storm water permitting and SWPPP development. In 1972, Congress enacted the Clean Water Act, which prohibits industries and other "point sources" from discharging pollutants into surface waters unless they obtain NPDES permits and comply with their provisions. Although in 1972 storm water was not regulated-it was considered the quintessential nonpoint source-by 1990 the act had bee...

Understand the current Clean Air Act landscape and other current regulatory and enforcement efforts at USEPA. Clean Air Act regulations and possible rule changes affect business and commerce all over the country. They also affect the quality of life. Clients want timely and pertinent information to guide their decision making. Lawyers, engineers and consultants need to understand company specific detail, but they also need to know the "big pic...

Get practical advice to avoid common mistakes so that you can prepare useful and legally compliant NEPA documents. Since 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act has been the cornerstone for environmental protection in the United States. To implement NEPA, federal agencies must prepare environmental impact statements or environmental assessments to study the impacts of their proposed actions. Unfortunately, some federal agencies, their cons...

Learn how to establish, develop, and evaluate a stormwater utility in your community. As the regulatory requirements for stormwater management continue to put financial pressure on municipal governments, more and more communities are either required to implement a stormwater program or improve their existing program to meet NPDES MS4 stormwater permit requirements and capital needs for asset renewal and upgrades. In particular, implementation...

Turning trash into treasure - discover the methods, technologies and economic expectations of converting waste into usable energy. Receive a brief overview of the North American solid waste management landscape, followed by a review of how energy from waste has evolved since the 1970s. Receive an update on the status of waste-to-energy and conversion technologies including the latest information on technologies, players, and costs. You will be...

Be prepared for an inspection and know your reporting requirements to avoid costly penalties. In today's business world, we all wear many hats and business owners, managers, engineering, and line personnel often become responsible for matters that they have little practical experience /training or do only occasionally. This includes organizing and participating in company mandated environmental inspections or audits as well as working effectiv...