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Our What's New page tells you what information has been recently added or updated at FedCenter.gov. Stop back here periodically to stay current on all recent activity at FedCenter.
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March 28, 2024
This webinar focuses on DMR reporting violations on the quarterly National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Noncompliance Report (NNCR), which provides a comprehensive list of Clean Water Act violations and their resolutions to the public. The training focuses on when DMR reporting violations are generated, criteria for assigning Category I versus II noncompliance, resolution of DMR reporting violations, and a demonstration of searching and filtering DMR reporting violations on the quarterly NNCR. This training is an advanced training and assumes you have attended or watched a recording of the quarterly NNCR training before attending (https://echo.epa.gov/help/training#Series).
This training focuses on the ECHO Facility Searches and Report under the Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program area biosolids. With the implementation of the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule (eRule), facilities in the 41 states where EPA implements the Federal Biosolids Program, and three authorized states (SD, TX, UT) began submitting electronic reports. This training provides an overview of the electronic reporting of biosolids annual reports, describes the biosolids data available on EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), and includes a demonstration of navigating the Biosolids Facility and Annual Report search form, search results, and Biosolids Facility Report.
This webinar focuses on effluent exceedance violations on the quarterly National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Noncompliance Report (NNCR), which provides a comprehensive list of Clean Water Act violations and their resolutions to the public. The training focuses on when effluent exceedance violations are generated, criteria for assigning Category I versus II noncompliance, resolution of effluent exceedance violations, and a demonstration of searching and filtering effluent exceedance violations on the quarterly NNCR. This training is an advanced training and assumes you have attended or watched a recording of the quarterly NNCR training before attending (https://echo.epa.gov/help/training#Series).
This webinar focuses on data downloads offered throughout the ECHO website. It will delve into how to access, download, and use data for offline analyses. Using case studies, this webinar will explore data sets and downloads of search results within ECHO including: How to use the ECHO Exporter, How to combine National Data Download files, and How to download NPDES Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) data.
NNCR Advanced Training: Schedule Violations
This webinar focuses on schedule violations on the quarterly National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Noncompliance Report (NNCR), which provides a comprehensive list of Clean Water Act violations and their resolutions to the public. The training focuses on when schedule violations are generated, criteria for assigning Category I versus II noncompliance, resolution of schedule violations, and a demonstration of searching and filtering schedule violations on the quarterly NNCR. This training is an advanced training and assumes you have attended or watched a recording of the quarterly NNCR training before attending (https://echo.epa.gov/help/training#Series).
This webinar focuses on single event/other violations on the quarterly National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Noncompliance Report (NNCR), which provides a comprehensive list of Clean Water Act violations and their resolutions to the public. The training focuses on when single event/other violations are generated, criteria for assigning Category I versus II noncompliance, resolution of single event/other violations, and a demonstration of searching and filtering single event/other violations on the quarterly NNCR. This training is an advanced training and assumes you have attended or watched a recording of the quarterly NNCR training before attending (https://echo.epa.gov/help/training#Series).
In this webinar, featuring a panel of experts whose work sits at the intersection of these issues, we'll explore the impacts of wasted food on people and the planet. We'll highlight the value of food recovery as a critical lever to mitigate food insecurity and tackle the climate emergency.
Each Action Party has an environment-related topic and a featured guest who is an expert in that topic. We combine learning with action-taking in a highly interactive and engaging hour. The actions have been prepared in advance to help participants take the most impactful action in the shortest period of time. The party's moderator sets a goal for the number of actions to be taken and shows participants their progress towards that goal in real-time with an online, automated goal tracker. Download the Climate Action Now App before the session.
Learn the basics of composting and everything you'll need to get started, including three methods you can set in motion yourself: Whether you have a lot of land, a small yard, or just a little bit of room under your kitchen sink. "Getting started couldn't be easier or more rewarding," says presenter Dr. Lanette Sobel, DPM, (Founder and CEO of Fertile Earth Worm Farm, Miami, FL), whose company has already diverted over 15 million pounds of organic waste away from the landfills. "You can start making a difference today.
March 27, 2024
This Track will have presentations from the Sustainability Track.
This Track will have presentations from the Environmental Compliance Track (11:00am-12:00pm) and the Resiliency Track (12:00pm-2:30pm).
This Track will have presentations from the Success Stories Tracks.
This track will have presentations from the Sustainability Track (11:30am-3:30pm) and the Environmental Compliance Track (3:45pm-4:45pm).
This track will have presentations from the Management Systems Track (11:00am-3:00pm) and the Resiliency Track (3:00pm-4:15pm).
This Track will have presentations from the Environmental Compliance Track.
This Track will have presentations from the Sustainability Track.
This track will have presentations from the Emerging Chemical Track (11:00am-3:00pm) and the Environmental Planning Track (3:30pm-4:00pm).
This track will have presentations from the Energy and Water Efficiency Track.
This track will have presentations from the Environmental Planning Track.
This track will have presentations from the Environmental Justice Track.
This track will open the event startng at 11:00 am with remarks from Kenny Floyd (Director of the Division of Environmental Protection at the NIH), a talk by Andrew Mayock (CEQ's Federal Chief Sustainability Officer) and star??ng at 1:00 pm Presentatons in the Sustainability Track.
This webinar focuses on the quarterly National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Noncompliance Report (NNCR) available on ECHO, which provides a comprehensive list of Clean Water Act violations and their resolutions to the public. The training covers what the quarterly NNCR is and why it was developed, background on the NNCR workgroup, violation types and violation details included in the report, and a demonstration to access the report on EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online.
This webinar focuses on the annual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Noncompliance Report (NNCR) available on ECHO, which provides summary compliance and enforcement information for more than 450,000 permittees by state, tribe, and territory by federal fiscal year. The training covers what the annual NNCR is and why it was developed, background on the NNCR workgroup, metrics included in the reports, and a demonstration to access the report on EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online.
March 26, 2024
Proceedings of the 2023/24 Federal Environmental Symposium.
USFWS propose to list the pygmy three-toed sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus; hereafter "pygmy sloth"), an arboreal mammal species from Panama, as a threatened species under the ESA. This determination also serves as their 12-month finding on a petition to list the pygmy sloth. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, they find that listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, they propose to list the pygmy sloth as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule"). If finalized, this rule as proposed, will add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 28 May 2024. POC is Rachel London, Manager, Branch of Delisting and Foreign Species, Ecological Services Program, USFWS, MS: ES, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803; tele 703–358–2171.
(Federal Register 26 March 2024 [Proposed Rule] Pages 20928-20939)
Let's face it. No matter how good we are at reducing waste, there will always be 'waste,' there will always be a little something left, whether it's a banana peel or spent coffee grounds. So how can we turn all this into a resource? Join us for an informative discussion on what food waste generators can do to sustainably process their waste via on- and off-site composting, biodigesters, anaerobic digesters, and the like. Because 'waste' isn't 'waste' until we waste it.
Join the USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison and a panel of leaders across USDA (NIFA, OUAIP, FNS, and ARS) to learn about some of the ways USDA engages in food loss and waste prevention and reduction across the U.S. food supply chain.
March 25, 2024
A total solar eclipse will traverse North America on April 8, 2024, affecting solar power plants across 12 U.S. states for up to two and a half hours. SETO, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation have partnered to evaluate the grid impacts of the eclipse, expanding on prior research completed for the 2017 eclipse. Register for this webinar to see interactive and detailed grid visualizations, learn about study findings, and get information to help utilities and operators anticipate the impact of the eclipse.
March 21, 2024
EPA announced a final rule, Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles, that sets new, more protective standards to further reduce harmful air pollutant emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles starting with model year 2027. The final rule builds upon EPA's final standards for federal greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2023 through 2026 and leverages advances in clean car technology to unlock benefits to Americans ranging from improving public health through reducing smog- and soot-forming pollution from vehicles, to reducing climate pollution, to saving drivers money through reduced fuel and maintenance costs. These standards will phase in over model years 2027 through 2032.
March 20, 2024
USFWS propose to list the bushy whitlow-wort (Paronychia congesta), a perennial herbaceous plant species from northwestern Jim Hogg County in south Texas, as an endangered species under the ESA. This determination also serves as their 12-month finding on a petition to list the bushy whitlow-wort. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, they find that listing the species is warranted. They also propose to designate critical habitat for the bushy whitlow-wort under the Act. In total, approximately 41.96 acres (16.98 hectares) in Jim Hogg County, Texas, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. They announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat for bushy whitlow-wort. If they finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to the species and its designated critical habitat. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 20 May 2024. POC is Chuck Ardizzone, Field Supervisor, Texas Coastal Ecological Services Field Office, 17629 El Camino Real, Suite 211, Houston, TX 77058; tele 281–286–8282.
(Federal Register 19 March 2024 [Proposed Rule] Pages 19526-19546)
EPA announced a final rule to prohibit ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos currently used in or imported to the United States. The ban on ongoing uses of asbestos is the first rule to be finalized under the 2016 amendments to the nation's chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which received near-unanimous support in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. The action marks a major milestone for chemical safety after more than three decades of inadequate protections and serious delays during the previous administration to implement the 2016 amendments. Exposure to asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and laryngeal cancer, and it is linked to more than 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
EPA proposes to revise regulations that allow for the open burning and detonation (OB/OD) of waste explosives. This allowance or "variance" to the prohibition on the open burning of hazardous waste was established at a time when there were no alternatives for the safe treatment of waste explosives. However, recent findings from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and the EPA have identified safe alternatives which are potentially applicable to treat some energetic/explosive waste streams. Because there may be safe alternatives available and in use today that capture and treat emissions prior to release, regulations would be revised to describe specified procedures for the existing requirements to evaluate and implement alternative treatment technologies. These proposed revisions would reduce OB/OD of waste explosives and increase control of air emissions through improved implementation of existing requirements that facilities must evaluate and use safe and available alternative technologies in lieu of OB/OD. Comments must be received on or before 20 May 2024. POC is Sasha Lucas-Gerhard (email: gerhard.sasha@epa.gov, phone: (202) 566–0346).
(Federal Register 20 March 2024 [Proposed Rule] Pages 19952-20030).
March 19, 2024
Is an online tool for Tracking Methane Emissions from Solid Waste. The Rocky Mountain Institute released the Waste Methane Assessment Platform, developed with the Clean Air Task Force and funding from the Global Methane Hub. WasteMAP is a tool to improve methane emissions transparency and help identify opportunities for mitigation of methane emissions from solid waste and is accompanied by a decision support tool.
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.
Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of nearly $24 million in grants to support states, U.S. territories, and Tribes in providing technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention practices. The funding is available through two Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for EPA's Pollution Prevention program, with approximately $14 million in grants available at no cost share/match requirement, thanks to funding made possible by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
March 18, 2024
On March 12, 2024, EPA announced proposed amendments to the regulations for the open burning and open detonation of waste explosives. The proposed rule would improve implementation of requirements for how facilities must evaluate and use alternative technologies determined to be safe and available for treating waste explosives in lieu of OB/OD. EPA is also proposing changes to the OB/OD requirements for:
• Waste analysis and characterization.
• Wastes prohibited from OB/OD.
• Minimum technical standards for OB/OD units.
• Potential de minimis exemption to evaluating and implementing alternative treatment technologies.
• Delay of closure applicability to OB/OD units.
• Applicability to emergencies.
• Timelines for implementing alternative treatment technologies.
• Permitting of mobile treatment units.
EPA will be taking public comment for 60 days once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. During the comment period, EPA will host a public webinar about this proposal and will post that information on this webpage.
March 15, 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending its Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations as a result of Agency review. The revisions include several changes and amplifications to the accident prevention program requirements, enhancements to the emergency preparedness requirements, improvements to the public availability of chemical hazard information, and several other changes to certain regulatory definitions or points of clarification. As major and other serious and concerning RMP accidents continue to occur, the record shows and EPA believes that this final rule will help further protect human health and the environment from chemical hazards through advancement of process safety based on lessons learned. These amendments seek to improve chemical process safety; assist in planning, preparedness, and response to Risk Management Program-reportable accidents; and improve public awareness of chemical hazards at regulated sources. While many of the provisions of this final rule reinforce each other, it is EPA's intent that each one is merited on its own, and thus severable. This rule is effective 10 May 2024. POC is Deanne Gant, Office of Emergency Management, EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20460; tele: 202-564-1096; email: grant.deanne@epa.gov.
(Federal Register 11 March 2024 [Rule] Pages 17622-17692)
EPA is proposing to amend the Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries to reference a standard practice recently made available by ASTM International, a widely recognized standards development organization. Specifically, EPA is proposing to amend the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule to reference ASTM International's E2247–23 "Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural Property" and allow for its use to satisfy the requirements for conducting all appropriate inquiries under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. EPA is additionally proposing to remove after one year, from the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule, recognition of the previous version of that standard, ASTM E2247–16, as compliant with the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule. Written comments must be received by 11 April 2024. POC is Patricia Overmeyer, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalizations (5105T), EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC; tele: 202-566-2774; email: overmeyer.patricia@epa.gov.
(Federal Register 12 March 2024 [Proposed Rule] Pages 17804-17808)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is designating critical habitat for 12 federally endangered species on the island of Hawai`i under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. In total, approximately 119,326 acres (48,289 hectares) on the island of Hawai`i, in the State of Hawaii, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. This rule extends the Act's protections to these species' designated critical habitats. The rule is effective 11 April 2024. POC is Earl Campbell, Project Leader, USFWS, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard Room 3-122 Honolulu, HI; tele: 808-792-9400.
(Federal Register 12 March [Rule] Pages 17902-17981)
March 13, 2024
Module 3: This module will explore different types of selection in breeding programs. This presentation will unpack the concept of genetic gain and how its calculated using linear mixed models. You will also look at different breeding designs and how they are used to advance a population to the next generation.
USFWS designate critical habitat for the Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus) under the ESA. In total, approximately 1,160,625 acres (469,688 hectares) in 13 Florida counties fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. This rule extends the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat. This rule is effective 8 April 2024. POC is Lourdes Mena, Classification and Recovery Division Manager, USFWS, Florida Ecological Services Field Office, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256; tele (352) 749–2462.
(Federal Register 7 March 2023 [Rule] Pages 16624-16681)
March 12, 2024
The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) offers resources to help federal agencies implement energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs). ESPC resources are listed by essential education, phases of the ESPC process, and general information.
The National Defense Center for Energy & Environment (NDCEE) program cordially invites you to our upcoming focus group meeting. This session will feature active projects offering comprehensive overviews, highlighting recent milestones achieved, current project status, and forthcoming deliverables and next steps. Your attendance at this virtual event is highly encouraged. The Safety and Occupational Health projects will occur on March 19th, 2:00 PM ET, with the Energy projects starting at 2:20 PM ET. The Environment-focused projects will occur on March 20th, 2:00 PM ET. Connect to the meeting through Microsoft Teams or a Call in (audio only) option.
March 11, 2024
The EPA requested FEMP technical assistance to evaluate feasibility of on-site solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery storage to support cost savings and decarbonization goals. Through this technical assistance engagement, a team of experts used NREL's REopt? web tool to evaluate the techno-economic viability of these technologies at nine EPA facilities, including Ada, Athens, Cincinnati-AWBERC, Corvallis, Fort Meade, Gulf Breeze, Montgomery, Narragansett, and RTP Main & National Computer Center. The analysis considered multiple ownership models, including direct purchase and third-party ownership/financing, as well as energy goals such as minimizing energy costs and achieving 50% renewable electricity annually. This technical assistance initiative identified five facilities where solar PV and battery storage could be cost-effective. It also provided insights into optimal system sizing and economic feasibility for these installations. Encouraged by these findings, EPA is now awarding a feasibility study for solar PV and battery storage at the Narragansett facility.
This report describes the development of a method to assess battery energy storage system (BESS) performance that the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and others can use to evaluate performance of deployed BESS or solar photovoltaic (PV) plus BESS systems. The proposed method is based on actual battery charge and discharge metered data to be collected from BESS systems provided by federal agencies participating in FEMP's performance assessment initiatives. Long-term (e.g., at least 1 year) time series (e.g., hourly) charge and discharge data are analyzed to provide approximate estimates of key performance indicators (KPIs).
March 08, 2024
A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to promulgate regulations prohibiting the use of lead ammunition on all land and water under the jurisdiction and control of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(Congressional Record 29 February 2024 [Senate] Pages S1076-S1077)
March 07, 2024
March 06, 2024
Based on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) reconsideration of the air quality criteria and the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM), the EPA is revising the primary annual PM2.5 standard by lowering the level from 12.0 µg/m3 to 9.0 µg/m3. The Agency is retaining the current primary 24-hour PM2.5 standard and the primary 24-hour PM10 standard. The Agency also is not changing the secondary 24-hour PM2.5 standard, secondary annual PM2.5 standard, and secondary 24-hour PM10 standard at this time. The EPA is also finalizing revisions to other key aspects related to the PM NAAQS, including revisions to the Air Quality Index (AQI) and monitoring requirements for the PM NAAQS. This final rule is effective 6 May 2024. POC is Dr. Lars Perlmutt, Health and Environmental Impacts Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. EPA, Mail Code C539–04, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; tele: (919) 541–3037; email: perlmutt.lars@epa.gov.
(Federal Register 6 March 2024 [Rule] Pages 16202-16406)
March 05, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published a new compliance advisory titled Federal Facility Compliance with the Asbestos NESHAP. The Asbestos NESHAP requirements protect the public by minimizing the release of asbestos fibers during building renovations and demolitions. This compliance advisory reminds federal facilities of their compliance obligations under the Asbestos NESHAP and the Clean Air Act during building renovations and demolitions, even when those activities are performed by contractors.
USFWS is removing the Florida golden aster (Chrysopsis floridana), a short-lived perennial, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (List) due to recovery. Their review indicates that the threats to the species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species has recovered and no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the ESA. Accordingly, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act will no longer apply to this species. This rule is effective 4 April 2024.POC is Lourdes Mena, Division Manager, Florida Classification and Recovery, USFWS, Florida Ecological Services Field Office, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Jacksonville, FL 32256; tele 904–731–3336.
(Federal Register 5 March 2024 [Rule] Pages 15763-15779)
Join this webinar to look at life history traits, traits used for selection, and types of common gardens. Forest genetics is the study of genetic variation and inheritance in forest trees. It's a crucial field of study as it provides the scientific basis for tree improvement and gene conservation programs.Tree Improvement is the applied use of forest genetics concepts to enhance the quality of trees. It's often synonymous with tree breeding, although the latter may specifically refer to activities like controlled pollination. The ultimate goal of forest genetics and tree improvement is to enhance the productivity and sustainability of forests. However, it's important to note that these improvements are realized over several decades, requiring long-term commitment.
March 04, 2024
The Department of Defense's National Defense Center for Energy and Environment (NDCEE) is excited to announce the opening of proposals for demonstrations of environmental, safety, occupational health, and energy technologies from March 1st to April 1st. They welcome submissions from all DoD Services, inviting innovative technologies, processes, and strategies that enhance energy security, Warfighter protection, military operations efficiency, or reduce environmental impacts. NDCEE wants your help shaping the future of defense through initiatives that bolster national security, safeguard our planet, and contribute to a more robust, greener, and secure tomorrow.
PHMSA amends the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to update, clarify, improve the safety of, or streamline various regulatory requirements. Specifically, this rulemaking responds to 18 petitions for rulemaking submitted by the regulated community between May 2018 and October 2020 that requests PHMSA address a variety of provisions, including but not limited to those addressing packaging, hazard communication, and the incorporation by reference of certain documents. These revisions maintain or enhance the existing high level of safety under the HMR while providing clarity and appropriate regulatory flexibility in the transport of hazardous materials. This final rule is effective on 3 April 2024. POC is Steven Andrews, 202–366–8553, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20590–0001.
(Federal Register 4 March 2024 [Rule] Pages 15636-15668)
March 01, 2024
A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to codify a Federal cause of action and a type of remedy available for individuals significantly exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, to encourage research and accountability for irresponsible discharge of those substances.
(Congressional Record: 1 February 2024 [House] Pages H386-H388)
A bill to ensure that Federal agencies rely on the best reasonably available scientific, technical, demographic, economic, and statistical information and evidence to develop, issue or inform the public of the nature and bases of Federal agency rules and guidance.
(Congressional Record 5 February 2024 [House] Pages H430-H431)
February 29, 2024
A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to provide for exclusion of air quality monitoring data that is directly due to a catastrophic or beneficial use wildfire from use in determinations with respect to exceedances or violations of the national ambient air quality standard for any air pollutant.
(Congressional Record: 1 February 2024 [House] Pages H386-H388)
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