January 2004 Updates
Regulatory Alerts Website
The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy
has launched a new website aimed at keeping business owners
up to date on proposed regulations. The site includes information
on all proposed federal regulations that could potentially
impact small businesses. It has a feature that allows comments
to be made on proposed regulations, and has links to other
federal agency websites.
Proposed
Changes to the Method Detection Limit procedures
EPA has proposed significant changes to the Clean Water Act
that will impact the way method detection limits are determined.
Laboratories have expressed major concerns over the new procedures
and through the American Council of Independent Laboratories
are working to influence changes that will bring more focus
to sound science in the determination of detection limits.
Drinking
Water Regulations
EPA has announced plans to review existing drinking water
regulations. Focus is expected to be on revisions to the Total
Coliform Rule.
Regulation
of Drinking Water Contaminants Put on Hold
EPA has decided not to establish monitoring requirements for
nine contaminants: manganese, sodium, sulfate, aldrin, dieldrin,
metribuzin, hexachlorobutadienen, naphthalene, and acanthamoeba.
Background
Stream Nutrients
USGS has issued a report summarizing nitrogen and phosphorus
data from a study of minimally impacted watersheds. The resulting
model is intended for use in projecting normal background
nutrient concentrations in streams as a function of several
region specific variables.
Use Designations
for Kansas Waters
EPA is promulgating revised use designations for 1,286 Kansas
waterbodies. The new designations will take effect on August
6, and will replace the use designations established in 1998.
General Permits for Storm Water
Discharge from Construction Sites
EPA, in most regions, is issuing newly revised General Permits
for NPDES discharges related to construction sites. The permits
authorize and regulate the discharge of storm water runoff
related to construction activities.
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