Environmental justice is the meaningful and fair involvement of all people in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental policies, regulations, and laws. Community Benefit Agreements can facilitate increased environmental justice in local communities. What Are Community Benefit Agreements? Community… Read more
On May 25, the Supreme Court of the United States significantly narrowed the scope of wetlands protected by the Clean Water Act (CWA or Act). The Court held that only wetlands indistinguishable from Waters of the United States (WOUS) ⸺… Read more
Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (“VDEQ”) announced via its email newsletter that it will resume issuance of Bona Fide Prospective Purchase (“BFPP”) and other “Comfort Letters” beginning September 1, 2022. This resumes a popular program that offers welcomed legal clarity… Read more
Contractors and owners with projects that may affect forested areas after December of 2022 may face more restrictive prohibitions against tree removal under a proposed rule that would list the northern long-eared bat as an endangered species. The northern long-eared… Read more
On June 15, 2022, EPA issued four drinking water health advisories for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that set levels so low that it amounts to a finding that no level of PFAS in drinking water is acceptable. As background,… Read more
The Norfolk District of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (“Corps”), in coordination with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (“VDEQ”), is proposing two Virginia State Programmatic General Permits (“SPGP”) authorizing discharge of dredge or fill material in nontidal waters… Read more
VAEP would like to invite Virginia environmental professionals, or those interested in entering the environmental field, to an information session where VAEP’s organizers will discuss their vision for the organization, membership expectations, and the hear from you about your interest… Read more
On March 14, 2022, EPA published a Direct Final Rule and a Proposed Rule that would incorporate ASTM International’s (“ASTM”) updated standard for conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (“Phase I ESAs”) into EPA’s “All Appropriate Inquires” regulations. As background,… Read more
On January 5, 2022, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“USACE”) quietly released an announcement stating that it will not rely on approved jurisdictional determinations (“AJDs”) issued under the now-vacated Navigable Waters Protection Rule (“NWPR”). This represents a significant change… Read more
On December 1, 2021, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (“VDEQ”) announced via a notice on its Brownfields website that it stopped accepting applications for Bona Fide Prospective Purchase (“BFPP”) and other “Comfort Letters” for an indeterminate period of time.… Read more
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