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Sixth Circuit Protects Sinkhole, Punishes Farmer

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has upheld a $100,000 judgment against a farm couple for filling in a sink hole on their land. The couple had accepted a conservation easement on their 100 acre farm upon its purchase from The Nature Conservancy.  The opinion affirms the judgment of the district court which found the couple violated the easement they had entered upon purchasing the land in December 2001. 

The couple, Larry and Marsha Sims, purchased their Garrard County, Kentucky farm for $60,084 from the Nature Conservancy in 2001.  In addition, they made a charitable pledge to the Conservancy of almost $245,000.  With the language of the easement, the property appraised for $60,000.  A “conservation document report” prepared when the property was sold identified two distinct areas: a “reserve area” in which activities were limited to livestock grazing and a cultivation of hay and a residential/agricultural tract which the purchasers were allowed to use for their constructing their residence and commercial agriculture.  Although the easement required the property to “be retained substantially undisturbed in its natural condition” and “to prevent any use” that would impair the “conservation values of the protected property”, the sale of the property contemplated its use as a commercial farm.  The terms of the easement comprised more than 3 pages. 

The controversy began when the Sims observed two depressions on the property which they described as sinkholes, one of which was located in a field behind the home they constructed on the land.  This sinkhole must have been considerable as the trial court found they had filled it with 6,269 cubic yards of material dredged from a farm pond.   Although the Sims were also accused of filling the sinkhole with trash (they did acknowledge filling another sinkhole with trash which they subsequently removed), the Conservancy expended at least $14,500 for a geologist to conduct core drilling to verify that no trash was used to fill the hole. 

The court determined that the purpose of the easement was “intended to ensure that the overall appearance and topography of the protected property remain substantially unchanged.”  By filling the sinkhole with dredged material, the Sims violated the express provision of the easement labeled “topography” which the court found to violate “the plain meaning of the agreement and of the parties intentions.”  The nearly $100,000 judgment awarded The Nature Conservancy was comprised of almost $80,000 in attorneys’ fees, plus costs and expenses. 

What makes the opinion difficult to understand, however, is that the land was sold as the conservation easement recognized so that a commercial farm could be conducted on at least some portion of the property.  This was the point made by Senior Circuit Judge Gilbert Merritt in his dissent.  The Sims were not only allowed to use the property “for all purposes not expressly prohibited”, but with the express recognition that they were not obligated “to maintain the Protected Property in the condition in which it exists on the date of the Conservation Easement.” 

The case is best understood as standing for the proposition that the easement could be construed broadly – as it was by the two judges in the majority- or narrowly by Judge Merritt in his dissent.  It also is a cautionary warning that such easements, especially when granted by environmental groups which tend to take a narrow view of property rights, need to be entered with caution.  Although the Sims may have thought that filling the sinkhole with material dredged from pond would simply make their farming easier, this purpose was found to be impermissible under the easement.  Other landowners who are approached to enter such easements may find themselves in the role as caretakers of parks and not farmers. 

The case is The Nature Conservancy, Inc. v. Larry and Marsha Sims, Nos. 09-5634/6070, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (May 21, 2012).  

This article was authored by Blair M. Gardner, Jackson Kelly PLLC.  Blairis a member of Jackson Kelly’s Energy and Environmental Practice Group in the Charleston, West Virginia office.  He may be reached at (304) 340-1146.  For more information on the author see here. 

Fish and Wildlife Service Lists Snuffbox and Rayed Bean Mussels to Endangered Species List; Faces Lawsuit Seeking to Add Big Sandy Crayfish

On March 15, 2012, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) officially added the Snuffbox Mussel (Epioblasma triquetra) and the Rayed Bean Mussel (Villosa fabalis) to the list of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.  The species are listed as endangered throughout their ranges. The final rule can be found here, and pictures of the species here.  This listing was brought about in large part because of a lawsuit last year from the Portland, Oregon based Center for Biological Diversity, which sued the FWS in order to force the agency to make a formal listing decision with regard to 374 freshwater species from the Southeast United States. The FWS settled the lawsuit and agreed to make final listing determinations with regard to these species.  

The Rayed Bean Mussel is a small mussel that prefers small headwater streams but is occasionally found in larger rivers.  The mussel currently exists in only 31 streams throughout Michigan, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee and the Elk River in West Virginia.  The mussel was determined to be completely absent from the Elk River and all of West Virginia in the 1990s, but was reintroduced in 2006.  

The Snuffbox Mussel is a uniquely-shaped mussel that spends most of its life buried in river substrate. The snuffbox mussel is currently found in 79 streams throughout 15 states.  In West Virginia, the snuffbox mussels are believed to exist in Middle Island Creek, McElroy Creek, Little Kanawha River, Elk River, and North Fork Hughes River.  Kentucky streams include Tygart Creek, Kinniconick Creek, Licking River, Slate Creek, Middle Fork Kentucky River, Red Bird River, Red River, Rolling Fork Salt River, Green River, and Buck Creek. 

These two mussel species are believed to have become endangered due to the destruction of their historic habitat from impoundments, river dredging and channelization, chemical spills, and water pollution associated with coal mining. The FWS also listed oil and gas production as a likely contributor to the species’ habitat destruction because of large water withdrawals that can de-water mussel beds, increased sediment loads, and lower water quality.  

Now that these species are listed as endangered, the FWS must develop a recovery plan outlining the management actions designed to achieve the recovery of these species. The agency has not determined the critical habitat for these mussel species because the information on the physical and biological features essential for the conservation of these species is not yet known. 

The listing of these species is potentially important to the regulated community because both the Clean Water Act and Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), require coordination with the FWS to ensure that endangered species and their habitats are protected. In light of this new listing, the process for securing coal mining permits, water pollution discharge permits, or even oil and gas drilling permits in the watersheds where these species are believed to exist could become lengthier and complicated. 

Could the Big Sandy Crayfish Be Close Behind? 

In other endangered species news, the Center for Biological Diversity recently filed a notice of intent to sue the FWS over the agency’s failure to make a formal listing decision with regard to the Big Sandy Crayfish (Cambarus veteranus).  The Big Sandy Crayfish was among the 374 species involved in the lawsuit and settlement with the FWS mentioned above, but the agency has not yet made a formal listing decision.  The Big Sandy’s historic range includes West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia. The notice of intent claims the crayfish’s habitat has declined by 50 to 70 percent and “[t]he remaining habitat of the Big Sandy Crayfish is severely threatened by coal mining activities, interstate highway construction, and logging.  The crayfish cannot survive in areas with impaired water quality and is threatened by pollution from coal fines, septic overflow, and other sources.” 

This article was authored by Aaron S. Heishman, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the author see here.

Recent Legislative Response to EPA’s Veto of Spruce Permit

            In light of EPA’s recent retroactive veto of the Spruce Mine permit, members of Congress are developing legislation to limit EPA’s rights to veto permits in the future. This legislation is being lead by West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and West Virginia Rep. David McKinley.  

            Last week, Sen. Manchin called on his colleagues to support “sound legislation that restricts the EPA from putting jobs at risk by retroactively changing the rules on investments and business.”  In his letter to fellow Senators, Sen. Manchin explained that the proposed legislation would “in no uncertain terms” take away the EPA’s authority “to reverse prior approvals of the USACE where a permit has been put through a rigorous regulatory process . . . and awarded by the USACE prior to any office objections from the EPA.”  The full text of Sen. Manchin’s letter to his colleagues can be found at http://manchin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=330446.  

            On Thursday, Sen. Manchin announced that he will now be serving on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, placing him in a strong position to advocate for energy policy. 

            In the United States House of Representatives on Wednesday, Rep. David McKinley introduced legislation (H.R. 457) similar to that proposed by Sen. Manchin.  Co-sponsored by Reps. Shelley Moore Capito and Nick Rahall of West Virginia and Reps. Bill Johnson and Bob Gibbs of Ohio, the proposed bill would not only limit EPA’s future authority to veto permits, but would also be retroactive to January 1, 2011.  If successful, this resolution would reinstate the Spruce Mine permit revoked two weeks ago by EPA. 

            Additionally Rep. McKinley, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent a letter to the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations subcommittee requesting that the subcommittee call EPA to directly answer questions about the “chilling effect its recent decision would have on the American economy.”    

            In a recent press release, Rep. McKinley emphasized the broad implications EPA’s veto has on American industry.  “If their new policy of retroactive revocation is allowed to stand, dozens of heavily-regulated industries and hundreds of thousands of American jobs hang in the balance,” said Rep. McKinley. “Businesses will not invest in new projects and create new jobs if they know that regulatory agencies can ignore existing permits and arbitrarily pull the rug right out from under them. This has to stop.” 

            You can follow the status of H.R. 457 at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-457.   

            This article was co-authored by Kevin McGuire and Mary Beth Naumann, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the authors see (McGuire) here and (Naumann) here. 

Polar Bear Litigation Update: D.C. Court Holds ESA Does Not Require Imminent Threat of Extinction for "Endangered" Listing

The federal district court for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an opinion on November 4th in the polar bear litigation, in which it concluded that the Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) failed to adequately explain the legal basis for listing polar bears as a threatened species. The Court remanded FWS’s Special Rule for the Polar Bear (commonly referred to as the “4(d)” rule) back to the agency for further consideration of whether the polar bear was properly listed as a “threatened” species (as opposed to “endangered”) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

 

The Bush administration in 2008 classified the polar bear as “threatened” –rather than the more protective “endangered” –under the ESA. The administration also issued a special rule, pursuant to rule 4(d) exempting greenhouse gases from regulation under the Act. Such a rule can only be issued for a species listed as threatened, not endangered.   Environmental groups sued over FWS’s failure to list the polar bear as “endangered.” The FWS contended that, as a matter of law, an “endangered species” must be in imminent danger of extinction. Environmentalist plaintiffs claimed that the agency committed error by interpreting ESA as allowing an “endangered” status only when there is imminent harm of extinction.  Ultimately, the Court rejected the FWS’s conclusion that an imminence requirement is mandated by the plain meaning of the statute, finding that the FWS failed to acknowledge ambiguities in the definition of an endangered species. The case was remanded in order for the FWS to reconsider whether the polar bear was entitled to threatened or endangered status.

 

The distinction between a threatened species and an endangered species is important because the ESA only authorizes the agency to issue a 4(d) rule for threatened species, not for endangered species.  Thus, if the agency determines on remand that the polar bear should have been listed as endangered (or if the court decides that they were wrong to list it as threatened), then the 4(d) rule will fall.  This is significant to the energy sector because Section 7 of the ESA requires federal agencies to consult with the FWS to ensure that any actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat.   Pursuant to Section 4(d) of the ESA, FWS may develop a special rule specifically tailored to the conservation needs of a threatened species.  The 4(d) rule proposed for polar bears assured that the federal permitting process in the states outside of Alaska would not be adversely impacted by concerns over indirect impact to the polar bear habitat, even if such activities result in greenhouse gas emissions. If the polar bear is granted “endangered” status, environmentalists will be free to challenge a wide range of federal permits involving greenhouse gas emissions on the grounds that they are not in compliance with the ESA because their issuance may contribute to global warming, thereby threatening the polar bear habitat.

 

The court-ordered schedule provides that briefing on this remanded status issue will be ongoing until Feb. 1, 2011, with a hearing to follow on Feb. 23.  Oral argument regarding the merits of the 4(d) rule itself (assuming the agency’s “threatened” status is upheld, and that the 4(d) rule is still relevant) have now been pushed back to April 13, 2010.  The 4(d) rule will remain in full force and effect pending the agency’s (and/or the court’s) final decision. 

 

This article was authored by Chris M. Hunter, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the author see here.

Endangered Species Act Listing Decisions

American pika. (Ochotona princeps): Climate change; recreation; forest management. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“Service”) determined that listing of the species is not warranted. (74 FR 64377; February 9, 2010). Listing had been sought by the Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”), which alleged that because the species is extremely thermosensitive, it was being adversely affected by climate change and global warming. The pika is a small mammal found in alpine terrain at higher elevations in the Rockies from Canada to New Mexico and the Sierras in California and Nevada. The determination that protection for the species was not warranted noted that even after being exposed to temperatures in excess of 77.9º F., the pika can move to higher elevations, and that the species as a whole has sufficient habitat even if the lower elevations in its range were subject to warming. The Service found that climate change was the primary threat to the pika (in addition to invasive plants, fire suppression and grazing) and worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) to develop local-scale models to predict variables in surface temperatures. Listing decisions pursuant to the ESA must be supported by the best available scientific and commercial information. Judicial review is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §701.  

Black-tailed prairie dog. (Cynomys ludovicianus): Land use; agriculture; energy development. This small ground squirrel is estimated to occupy 2.4 millions acres in ten (10) states east of the Continental Divide. Wild Earth Guardians (“WEG”) had petitioned that the species be listed as threatened or endangered due primarily to habitat loss, hunting, poisoning and climate change. On December 2, 2009, the Service, by means of a status review required in settlement of litigation determined that listing was not warranted. (74 FR 63343). In 1999, eleven (11) states (through their respective Fish and Wildlife Management agencies) entered into a Conservation Strategy for this species in order to provide some voluntary protections and forestall the need for listing and the associated restrictions on use of both public and private lands. (This was well prior to 2003, when the Service published its “Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions” 68 FR 15100, March 28, 2003.)  There are four other species of prairie dogs, also found only in North America: the Utah prairie dog (listed as a threatened species); the Mexican prairie dog (listed as an endangered species); the white-tailed prairie dog; and the Gunnison prairie dog. 

Greater sage grouse. (Centrocercus urophasianus): Mineral and renewable energy development; land use. On March 5, 2010, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the listing is warranted, but precluded by higher priority actions, another installment in a battle over ESA protection for the grouse that began in December 2003 with petitions to list it. The finding means that the grouse is now a candidate for listing, and its status will be periodically reviewed. The bird is currently found in portions of eleven (11) states and two (2) Canadian provinces, much of which is also critical to wind energy facilities and mineral exploration and development. Multiple petitioners alleged threats caused by drought, disease, predation, and lack of regulatory protection, particularly in areas subject to intense energy activity. A previous finding that listing for the species was “not warranted” was challenged in Western Watersheds v. Fish and Wildlife Service, 535 F. Supp.2d 1173 (D. Idaho 2007). The Court found that the 2005 decision not to list (listing “not warranted”) was tainted by the interference of a political appointee at the Department of the Interior. On March 8, 2010, Western Watersheds filed a First Supplemental Complaint alleging that the Service’s decision not to propose the species for listing is unlawful and requesting the Court to reverse the finding that listing is “precluded’ and to remand with instructions for the Service to publish a proposed listing rule in accordance with a Court-ordered deadline. 

Diamond Darter. (Crystallaria cincotta): candidate species. This member of the perch family (Percidae) is found only in a 36-mile reach of the Elk River in Kanawha and Clay Counties, West Virginia. It is now a candidate for possible future listing to be reviewed periodically. The Service believes is has been extirpated from the rest of its historic range in the Ohio River system and is now very rare. The restrictions of the Endangered Species Act do not apply to candidate species, but federal agencies consider them carefully (often as “Species of Concern”) in the Section 7 process (Interagency Cooperation) and permit applicants should examine measures that might forestall or postpone listing, such as Candidate Conservation Agreements. Another new candidate species is the rabbitsfoot mussel (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrical) found in parts of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio. The findings were published in the Service annual report on listing actions. (74 FR 57804, November 9, 2009).

EPA, “A Framework for Categorizing the Relative Vulnerability of Threatened and Endangered Species to Climate Change. Comment period extended to March 25, 2010 (75 FR 8053). The EPA requested comments (74 FR 61671, November 25, 2009) on a document intended “to provide information to ecosystem and resource managers to support their decision-making about management actions that reflect consideration of those threatened and endangered species that are most vulnerable to climate change”. 

Litigation: ESA and mining reclamation:Friends of the East Fork v. NOAA, WD Wash, No. CO5-189 (February 11, 2010). The Court remanded a Final Biological Opinion (“FBO”) containing an Incidental Take Statement authorizing take of listed species issued in connection with gravel mining operations. The baseline analysis had not considered that the required reclamation from previous mining had not been completed, which caused the court to conclude that the issuance of the FBO violated the APA. The term “environmental baseline” is specific to the ESA (see 50 C.F.R. §402.02); not to be confused with 40 C.F.R. § 1502.15, the NEPA regulations requiring analysis of the “affected environment” where a proposed action may occur. The Court set aside the FBO because it did not consider (the baseline) accurately in that the project area had not been restored as required by state law. 

This article was authored by Ronda L. Sandquist, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the author see here.

15 Minute Industrial Emergency Rule – Status of WV Legislative Actions

    On February 3, 2010 time ran out on “The 15-Minute Rule” officially titled the  “Industrial Accident Rapid Response Rule,” when the Secretary of State announced the expiration of filing of the legislative rule and expiration of filing of the emergency rule, 170 CSR 2, which was in place. The Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management failed to file with the Legislative Rulemaking Review Committee (“LRRC”) within 90 days after the conclusion of the hearing/public comment period as required by W.Va. Code §29A-3-9. The normal procedure for an expired rule, is that the entire rule must be resubmitted to the Secretary of State for another hearing/public comment period.     

    This left the only authority for implementation of the industrial accident law the existing statutory law W.Va. Code, §15-5B- 3a et seq. which still require the basics of reporting , but leaves out important implementing elements which the legislative rule provided such as further defining when a release must be reported, providing the methods for reporting , clarifications on facility access and penalty categories and penalty adjustment factors and procedures for penalty appeal and waiver.     

    However, the West Virginia Legislature with urging from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the regulated community is effecting a last minute rescue to enact the previously existing rule, 170 CSR 2, via H.B. 4081. H.B. 4081 is the bundled rules bill for the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.   On March 9, 2010, H.B. 4081 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee containing the basic rule 170 CSR 2 conforming it to the statutory fine structure. The rule that passed in the House still contained the language that would allow fines for up to $200,000 for each event.  With the help of Senators Evan Jenkins (Cabell) and Joe Minard (Harrison), industry lobbyists were able to amend the rule so that if passed it would reflect the original intent of the Legislature when it passed SB 279 last year.  The rule, as amended, now will only allow fines up to $100,000. The bundled bill has moved to the floor for passage.  Once the bill is passed by the Senate, it will have to return to the House for their approval.  We will keep you apprised of the final developments for this process. The 2010 WV Legislative Session ends on Saturday, March 13, 2010.    

    The following industrial accident obligations never expired: (1) the reporting requirements for CAA §112(r) facilities and those facilities that received written notice from Homeland Security that they will be included in the definition of a regulated facility, (3) the event communications system requirements, (4) the authorized access to public officials, and (5) the applicable civil penalties never expired since they were statutory. Therefore covered facilities should maintain their existing procedures to comply with the “15 Minute Rule”. 

    For more information contact either Barbara D. Little (304) 340-1355 or Kathy G. Beckett (304) 340-1019. This article was authored by Barbara D. Little, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the author see here.

EPA’s Proposed FY2011 Budget “Cut” 2.7% from FY2010, but still up 31% from FY2009

If you get a 31% pay raise this year, would you complain about a 2.7% cut in your salary next year? No way! That’s the situation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where the budgetary good times keep on rolling.  The US economy is in the tank, regulated industries and energy producers are under greater duress than ever, but EPA continues living large. 

On February 1, 2010, the Obama administration proposed a fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget of $10.02 billion for the EPA.  The proposed FY2011 budget would be the second largest in the agency’s 40-year history, although a 2.7% drop from their FY2010 allocated funds of $10.3 billion. However, the FY2011 budget would still amount to a 31% funding increase over FY2009’s $7.6 billion EPA budget. 

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson recently touted the rock-ribbed fiscal responsibility of the proposed FY2011spending level for her Agency:  

“The budget also reflects President Obama’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. Families across America are tightening their budgets; the President has directed us to do the same. 

The $10 billion proposed for EPA – though a reduction from last year – will support key priorities in a time of fiscal challenges.” 

I don’t believe that the average American family would consider a 2.7% spending cut after receiving a 31% spending increase to equate to financial belt-tightening. But in EPA’s world, it does. 

The EPA lists the following “highlights” of their proposed FY2011 budget: 

• “To take action on climate change and promote clean energy, the budget includes an increase of more than $43 million. This will support implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule and facilitate permitting and enforcement under the Clean Air Act. 
• In addition, $55 million will be invested in the successful Energy Star program, cutting energy costs and emissions for homes and businesses. 
• To clean up our communities, we’re proposing investments that will get dangerous pollution out, and put good jobs back in. That starts with $215 million for Brownfields, with increases for planning, cleanup, job training and redevelopment. We’ll also provide funding for assessment and cleanup of underground storage tanks and other petroleum contamination on Brownfields. 
• $1.3 billion for Superfund cleanup efforts across the country, and continue the commitment to civil and criminal enforcement announced last month. 
• $2 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving fund and $1.3 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.  
• $63 million for the Chesapeake Bay program including increased funding to implement President Obama’s Chesapeake Bay Executive Order.” 

Superfund Excise Tax -- Coming in 2011

EPA has not forgotten about its plan to reinstate the Superfund excise taxes, which expired in 1995. The FY2011 budget proposal includes restarting Superfund excise taxes beginning in January 2011. The reinstated Superfund taxes are estimated to generate an EPA revenue level of over $1.3 billion in 2011, increasing to over $2.5 billion annually by 2020.  

Of course, one person’s “increased revenue level” is another person’s added taxation burden, and one more disincentive to continue to operate and provide good jobs in the US. 

For further details on EPA’s FY2011 budget and policy priorities, see the following web sites:

http://www.epa.gov/budget/2011/2011bib.pdf#9

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/8d49f7ad4bbcf4ef852573590040b7f6/405c7357a4f6f26f852576bd006e5e06!OpenDocument

This article was partially excerpted from publically available information, and was authored by Rick Wilson, Acacia Environmental Group LLC.  Any opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and are not intended as legal or professional guidance to any specific readers. For more information on the author see here.

EPA Launches New Web Site for Regulatory Information

On February 18, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a new web site called Rulemaking Gateway located at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opei/RuleGate.nsf/. EPA’s stated purpose in establishing the web site is to create transparency and give the public additional opportunity to participate in the agency’s rulemaking process. Information is limited to EPA’s “priority” rules.   The new web site can be used as a supplement to EPA’s Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda and Monthly Action List. It is worth bookmarking because if offers a quick and easy way to check the status of a particular priority rulemaking, especially on the front-end of the rulemaking process.

Gateway provides information on priority rules from pre-proposal through publication of the final rule in the Federal Register. EPA will begin posting information on a priority rulemaking after the agency’s Regulatory Policy Officer determines it is appropriate to start working on the regulation via a process known as “commencement approval,” which occurs once a month. Thus, a rulemaking may appear on the Gateway months or even years before a docket is opened on EPA’s Regulations.gov web site. EPA intends to update Gateway on a monthly basis as new information becomes available. According to EPA’s press release, the Agency plans to update notice of public meetings and other “[t]ime-sensitive information…on a daily basis.” Rulemakings will not remain on the Gateway forever. They will be removed one year after they are published in the Federal Register as a final rule or one year after they are published in the Federal Register as fully withdrawn. 

In addition to offering information on the status of a rulemaking as early as pre-proposal, Gateway provides additional search functionality. Priority rules can be searched by phases, e.g., pre-proposal, proposal, open for public comments, final rule published as well as access enforcement and compliance information. Rules can be searched by topic such as air, pesticides, toxic substances, waste, water, and general.    Finally, rules can be searched by effects. The categories of searchable effects on Gateway include: children’s health; energy supply, distribution, or use; environmental justice; federal government – other agencies; federalism; international; local governments; small businesses; small governments; small not-for-profit organizations; state governments; tribal governments; and unfunded mandates. EPA has established a discussion forum to solicit comments on gateway and also to encourage the public to suggest more effects and topics by submitting them via the Discussion Forum found at http://blog.epa.gov/rulegateway/.

EPA’s Gateway also offers a summary or, in EPA’s words, “a distilled ‘snapshot’” of a rule. Comprehensive information on a rule can still be found at EPA’s Regulations.gov web site located at http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html.

This article was authored by Gale Lea Rubrecht, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the author, see here.

Litigation Filed Over 2008 Removal Of The WV Northern Flying Squirrel From Protection as an Endangered Species

The West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel was listed as endangered in 1985, and a 1990 recovery plan set out criteria for delisting. The previous presence of the squirrel on the list of endangered species was used by a variety of groups to oppose timber removal, wind projects and ski resort development in the West Virginia highlands area. In April 2008, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (‘USFWS”) removed the WV Northern Flying Squirrel from the list of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.  

On November 12, 2009, Friends of Blackwater, the Wilderness Society and others sued the Department of Interior and USFWS in a Washington. D.C. federal court challenging the removal decision.  The suit cites the scientific community's objections to the delisting. Scientists say the surviving populations of the squirrel could constitute disconnected "sinks" destined for extinction. Plaintiffs say that the Carolina northern flying squirrel, a species with nearly identical threats, remains listed as endangered. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief setting aside the final delisting rule, which went into effect in August 2008. Additionally, they advance claims that the USFWS did not adequately address the impact that climate change will have on the squirrel's habit and on increased competition from the Southern Flying Squirrel. According to the environmental groups, the delisting decision also failed to consider the effects of logging, development and tree pests in the fragmentation and alteration of squirrel habitat in the Virginia and West Virginia Allegheny Highlands. 

With regard to the Bush administration, these groups argue Bush-era agencies disregarded the law to take the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel off the endangered species list. Plaintiffs say the Bush administration delisted the squirrel though the delisting criteria were not met. The Plaintiffs direct attention to the fact that despite 2004 agency testimony against delisting, the Bush administration in 2006 declared the squirrel's recovery completed though the criteria had not been met, the complaint states. It is asserted that the government merely dismissed the recovery criteria without explanation. 

As this matter continues to evolve and briefing occurs, we will keep you posted. 

 

This article was authored by Kathy G. Beckett, Jackson Kelly PLLC, (304) 340-1019 or kbeckett@jacksonkelly.com. For more information on the author see here.

West Virginia’s Draft Sustainability and Environmental Excellence (SEE) Bill

On November 6, 2009, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) released a draft bill titled “Sustainability and Environmental Excellence Program,” that the agency intends to brand as “SEE Change”. It is anticipated that the legislation, or a version of the legislation, will be introduced during the 2010 Legislative Session. The SEE Program is intended to replace the state Environmental Excellence Program, W. Va. Code §§ 22-25-1 et seq. (2009 Repl. Vol.), that was automatically repealed on June 30, 2009. To read the full text of the draft SEE bill, click here.  

With the repeal of the state Environmental Excellence Program, the WVDEP convened a task force to consider the future of the program in West Virginia in light of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s termination of its National Performance Track Program which the state Environmental Excellence Program was intended to mirror. The task force consisted of representatives from industry, manufacturing, electric power generation, tourism, government, academic circles, and environmental and community groups.  

The SEE Program is broader in scope than the Environmental Excellence Program. The purpose of the SEE Program, as stated in the draft bill, is to “promote, inspire, and reward leadership and excellence in developing and implementing sustainable strategies that include an emphasis on integrating societal, environmental, and economic benefits.” Goals of the program would include setting “measurable and identifiable goals for reducing [participants’] environmental footprint,” “promoting strategies, technologies and programs that incentivize sustainability and environmental stewardship,” and “lowering the barriers to and the costs associated with sustainable operational processes and procedures”.  

The draft bill contemplates that the WVDEP Secretary would establish an executive committee to assist in the administration of the program. The committee would consist of the WVDEP Secretary, the Secretary of the Department of Commerce, the Secretary of the Department of Revenue, the Secretary of the Department of Administration, the Secretary of the Department of Education, the Chair of the Public Service Commission, at least one person who represents local governments, at least one person who represents industries regulated by the WVDEP or their trade associations, at least one person who represents organized labor, at least one person who represents organizations advocating environmental protection, and at least two persons who represent the public at large.  

The executive committee would be tasked with studying the issues, developing a long-term strategy, and issuing a report to the Legislature by July 1, 2011. The report to the Legislature would contain recommendations concerning appropriate methods to encourage the development of the SEE Program, any legislation to incentivize participation in the program, methods of facilitating the wide-spread implementation of companion sustainability and environmental excellence programs throughout West Virginia, methods of financing program operations, and the executive committee’s long-term strategy for the promotion of sustainability and environmental excellence in West Virginia. The executive committee would also assist the WVDEP in developing and promulgating legislative rules implementing the program.  

While the state Environmental Excellence Program was limited to incentives granted by the WVDEP, the draft SEE bill seeks to expand the scope of incentives by authorizing the WVDEP Secretary to negotiate with federal regulatory agencies and state and local agencies within West Virginia to obtain authority to grant incentives under federal and other state or local programs. Examples of incentive categories that the executive committee would be tasked with considering include: marketing support and recognition; capacity building; single points of contact, streamlined communication, and technical assistance at the WVDEP and any other interested agency; tax benefits; reduced energy or water rates based upon implemented facility-wide conservation measures; access to low cost capital in the form of state and private loans or state and federal grants or priority assistance for local economic development funds; “consideration” regarding monitoring, inspections, reporting, and permitting; membership discounts to trade associations and green business networks; and expedited consideration for zoning variations by local government entities. 

The draft bill would set minimum criteria for registration and for participation in the program and authorize the WVDEP Secretary to establish additional program elements. The minimum criteria are set forth in section 6 of the draft bill and extend well beyond traditional environmental matters. The minimum criteria for registration would include: “compliance with environmental laws,” “commitment[s] to develop a sustainability policy[,]…an environmental management system[, and] …a pollution prevention and conservation plan,” and “commitment[s] to transparency,… community involvement,…economic development,…and leadership development”. Minimum criteria for participation would include: “sustained compliance with environmental laws,” “well developed sustainability policy[,]…environmental management system,…[and] pollution prevention and conservation plan,” “transparency, openness, communication, and accountability in operations,” “active community involvement,” and “active participation in economic development…and…leadership development”.  

To implement the SEE Program, the WVDEP Secretary and participants would enter into a SEE performance agreement. Similarly, under the Environmental Excellence Program, the WVDEP Secretary and program participants entered into performance agreements. The contents of the performance agreements under the Environmental Excellence Program and the draft bill are very similar with one exception. The one exception is that the Environmental Excellence Program included a plan for integrating into the agreement any relevant regulations that are promulgated during the duration of the agreement. The draft SEE bill does not list a similar provision for the contents of the SEE performance agreement. 

Under both the former Environmental Excellence Program and the proposed SEE Program, any participant may elect to withdraw from membership in the program at any time upon written notice. Under the Environmental Excellence Program, the notice was given to the WVDEP Secretary, whereas under the SEE Program, the notice would be given to the executive committee. The executive committee would also have authority to continue, suspend, or terminate the membership of any participant in the program.  

Unlike the Environmental Excellence Program, the draft SEE bill does not include provisions for judicial review of the WVDEP’s decision on acceptance of applications to participate in the program. Nor does the draft SEE bill require the WVDEP Secretary to propose legislative rules establishing incentives to be granted to any participant that complies with all of the mandatory program elements.  

The draft bill attempts to address funding. The WVDEP Secretary would be authorized to receive on behalf of the state for deposit into the state treasury any monies that state institutions of higher learning or state or federal agencies may be authorized to transfer to the Secretary, and all gifts, donations, or contributions that private entities or others may provide to defray the expense of administering program. Any amounts so received would be expended by the WVDEP solely for the purposes of the SEE Program. The bill tasks the Executive Committee with developing funding mechanisms for financing program operations, including the creation of a trust fund in the state treasury with the funds dedicated and appropriated to the WVDEP to administer the program. The Environmental Excellence Program included a similar funding concept. See W. Va. Code 22-25-11. However, the Environmental Excellence Program also authorized the WVDEP Secretary to establish by legislative rule reasonable application, renewal and administration fees to recover the cost to the agency in developing, negotiating and publicizing an environmental performance agreement. The draft SEE bill does not contain a similar cost recovery provision. 

The draft bill provides that the SEE Program would sunset June 30, 2015. Comments on the draft bill have been requested by November 20, 2009. Comments are to be submitted directly to the WVDEP’s contractor and addressed to adam.saslow@plexusli.com. The draft bill will be presented as a point of information to the Advisory Council on December 9, 2009.  

This article was authored by Gale Lea Rubrecht, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the author see here.