During this Conservation Innovation Grant webinar, presenters will explore RangeDocs, an innovative online tool that provides page-level, highly relevant search results from key regional and national rangeland documents. Participants in this training will learn about RangeDocs (https://docs.rangelandsgateway.org/). This new tool allows NRCS staff, Extension professionals, producers, and other land managers to search rangeland terms and pinpoint pertinent information from key national and rangeland resources. The unique search functionality of RangeDocs will be highlighted, as well as new support materials (videos, user guide) and Extension and NRCS documents. Participants will also learn about how AI could improve RangeDocs in the future.

USFWS determine endangered species status under the ESA for the Sira curassow (Pauxi koepckeae) and southern helmeted curassow (Pauxi unicornis), two bird species from South America. This rule extends the protections of the Act to these species. This rule is effective 26 August 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 703-358-2491. (Federal Register 25 July 2024 [Rule] Pages 60319-60328)

NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review of seven species of giant clams (Hippopus hippopus, H. porcellanus, Tridacna derasa, T. gigas, T. mbalavuana, T. squamosa, and T. squamosina) in response to a petition to list these species as threatened or endangered under ESA. Based on the best scientific and commercial data available, including the Status Review Report, and after taking into account efforts being made to protect these species, they have determined that H. porcellanus, T. mbalavuana, and T. squamosina are in danger of extinction throughout the entirety of their respective ranges, T. derasa and T. gigas are in danger of extinction in a significant portion of their respective ranges, and H. hippopus is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout a significant portion of its range. Therefore, they propose to list H. porcellanus, T. mbalavuana, T. squamosina, T. derasa, and T. gigas as endangered species and H. hippopus as a threatened species under the ESA. They have determined that the fluted clam, T. squamosa, does not meet the definition of a threatened or an endangered species under section 4(a) of the ESA. Comments must be received by 23 October 2024. POC is John Rippe, NMFS Office of Protected Resources john.rippe@noaa.gov. (Federal Register 25 July 2024 [Rule] Pages 60498-60547)

EPA proposed to designate five chemicals as High-Priority Substances for risk evaluation under the nation's chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If EPA finalizes these designations as proposed, the agency would immediately move forward with the risk evaluation process. This step is consistent with a commitment from the Administration to understand and address environmental and toxic exposures to ensure that every community has access to clean air and water, supports the Cancer Moonshot's mission to end cancer as we know it, and bolsters the Administration's efforts to make progress on delivering environmental justice and tackling plastic pollution. The five chemical substances EPA is proposing to designate as High-Priority Substances are: Vinyl Chloride (CASRN 75-01-4), Acetaldehyde (CASRN 75-07-0), Acrylonitrile (CASRN 107-13-1), Benzenamine (CASRN 62-53-3), and 4,4'-methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) (CASRN 101-14-4).

An agricultural conservation easement is the best tool for the long-term protection of working farms and forests. Discover the restrictions of the agricultural conservation easement, what rights are retained and how to start the process of enrolling your land in farmland preservation programs.

Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is an invasive, wood-boring pest originating from Asia. It was first detected in the US in 1992 and has since spread to several states with its most recent detection near Charleston, SC in 2020. Asian longhorned beetle poses a significant economic and ecological impact to infested communities and due to the extensive damage it causes in host trees, eradication is the primary focus for management. The low lying, swampy land of the South Carolina infestation poses challenges to traditional eradication methods and research is being completed testing new strategies to successfully eradicate ALB. What methods are being tested and are any of them working? This webinar will discuss ALB's impact and give us an update on ALB South Carolina research.

The American beech (Fagus grandifolia) plays a significant role in many forest ecosystems across the eastern US. It is an economically important, slow growing and shade tolerant tree which adds structural diversity to many forest types, and its nut production makes it a valuable food source for wildlife. In 2012, a substantial threat to the American beech tree was detected in Ohio and has since spread to several other states. Beech leaf disease (BLD) is caused by a nematode and can result in host tree mortality within two to seven years. Symptoms include banded leaves, premature leaf drop, and aborted bud development in Fagus spp. This emerging threat continues to spread across the US, but what can be done to save the American beech? This webinar will discuss BLD biology, impact, and potential management strategies.

The USACE ECOP SITREP includes discussion on the Army Deactivated Nuclear Power Plant Program team receives Secretary of the Army Environmental Award. The Chicago Area Waterways Framework Plan wins 2024 Silver Ribbon Award. The Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates start of construction on Kenai River Bluffs Erosion Project in Alaska, and recently published study details practical, low-cost methods for identifying and managing cyanobacteria cells that cause harmful algal blooms. HQUSACE Environmental Division distributes ECOP SITREPs for common situation awareness on environmental topics. The report is compiled from SITREPs from around USACE, including Environmental Division, Army Regional Environmental Coordinators, Environmental and Munitions Center of Expertise, divisions, districts, and other HQ directorates and offices.

The All-Hazards Waste Management Planning Tool is an interactive tool to assist emergency managers and planners for all communities (state, local, Tribal, and territorial), and large industrial and municipal facilities, such as airports and stadiums. The tool helps these parties create or update a comprehensive pre-incident plan for managing materials and wastes generated from manmade and natural disasters.

A bill to amend title XLI of the FAST Act to improve the Federal permitting process. (Congressional Record 11 July 2024 [Senate] Pages S4551-S4553)

EPA's new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. They are designed to deliver on the transformative potential of the IRA for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments.

The meeting discussions will focus on several topics including, but not limited to, NEJAC recommendations for cumulative impacts and presentations from EPA programs. The NEJAC is interested in receiving public comments relevant to the following charges NEJAC Title VI Charge.

The Superfund Essentials webinar series presents essential information for environmental staff with little Superfund experience. The webinar introduces the Superfund program and gives an overview of the statutory and regulatory requirements. The removal and remedial process modules describe the assessment and response process followed by OSCs and RPMs as they address their sites. The webinar closes out by explaining the community involvement program and its role in Superfund and a discussion on the site assessment process. After taking the webinar series, the participants will be able to (1) explain the provisions and requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), (2) follow the assessment and response process for conducting removal and remedial actions, (3) describe the community involvement program and their part in cleanup actions, and (4) explain the importance of several special topics to the Superfund program.

The Superfund Essentials webinar series presents essential information for environmental staff with little Superfund experience. The webinar introduces the Superfund program and gives an overview of the statutory and regulatory requirements. The removal and remedial process modules describe the assessment and response process followed by OSCs and RPMs as they address their sites. The webinar closes out by explaining the community involvement program and its role in Superfund and a discussion on the site assessment process. After taking the webinar series, the participants will be able to (1) explain the provisions and requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), (2) follow the assessment and response process for conducting removal and remedial actions, (3) describe the community involvement program and their part in cleanup actions, and (4) explain the importance of several special topics to the Superfund program.

The Superfund Essentials webinar series presents essential information for environmental staff with little Superfund experience. The webinar introduces the Superfund program and gives an overview of the statutory and regulatory requirements. The removal and remedial process modules describe the assessment and response process followed by OSCs and RPMs as they address their sites. The webinar closes out by explaining the community involvement program and its role in Superfund and a discussion on the site assessment process. After taking the webinar series, the participants will be able to (1) explain the provisions and requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), (2) follow the assessment and response process for conducting removal and remedial actions, (3) describe the community involvement program and their part in cleanup actions, and (4) explain the importance of several special topics to the Superfund program.

The Superfund Essentials webinar series presents essential information for environmental staff with little Superfund experience. The webinar introduces the Superfund program and gives an overview of the statutory and regulatory requirements. The removal and remedial process modules describe the assessment and response process followed by OSCs and RPMs as they address their sites. The webinar closes out by explaining the community involvement program and its role in Superfund and a discussion on the site assessment process. After taking the webinar series, the participants will be able to (1) explain the provisions and requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), (2) follow the assessment and response process for conducting removal and remedial actions, (3) describe the community involvement program and their part in cleanup actions, and (4) explain the importance of several special topics to the Superfund program.

The Superfund Essentials webinar series presents essential information for environmental staff with little Superfund experience. The webinar introduces the Superfund program and gives an overview of the statutory and regulatory requirements. The removal and remedial process modules describe the assessment and response process followed by OSCs and RPMs as they address their sites. The webinar closes out by explaining the community involvement program and its role in Superfund and a discussion on the site assessment process. After taking the webinar series, the participants will be able to (1) explain the provisions and requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), (2) follow the assessment and response process for conducting removal and remedial actions, (3) describe the community involvement program and their part in cleanup actions, and (4) explain the importance of several special topics to the Superfund program.

The Chief Acquisition Officers Council is still accepting submissions for the 2024 Acquisition Excellence Awards. The deadline for nominations is 31 July 2024. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding achievements in federal acquisition, honoring individuals and teams for their excellence, innovation, and best practices. Don't miss this chance to showcase exemplary work and contributions to the acquisition community.

FAI is excited to bring you NEW fiscal year 2025 FAC-C, FAC-COR, FAC-P/PM, credential, and continuous learning virtual instructor-led training in FAI CSOD, through January 2025! View the complete list of new course offerings on FAI.gov Seats will be first come, first served, and, as always, there will be no tuition cost to students or their agencies. Do not delay; seats fill fast!

Want to use the OASIS contract family this buying season? Sign up for the next OASIS training. OASIS, OASIS Small Business (SB), and OASIS 8(a) are family of governmentwide multiple award, IDIQ contracts that provide flexible and innovative solutions for complex professional services. The DPA gives contracting officers access to the OASIS Unrestricted and OASIS Small Business contract vehicles and teaches best practices for task order issuance.

America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) section 2013 amended the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) section 1433 with an aim of increasing water system resilience to disasters. This presentation will provide an overview of the law, which requires community drinking water systems (CWS) serving more than 3,300 people to conduct or review and revise risk and resilience assessments (RRAs) and emergency response plans (ERPs) and certify to EPA that they have done so by specified deadlines every five years, next occurring throughout 2025 and 2026.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), list the Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis), a freshwater turtle species from the Pearl River drainage in Mississippi and Louisiana as a threatened species with 4(d) protective regulations under the ESA. Due to similarity of appearance, we also list the Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra), Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri), Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti), and Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi) as threatened species with 4(d) protective regulations under the Act. This rule adds these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. This rule is effective 12 August 2024. POC is James Austin, Field Supervisor, USFWS, Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A, Jackson, MS 39213; tele 601-321-1129. (Federal Register 12 July 2024 [Rule] Pages 57206-57236)

This SERDP and ESTCP webinar focuses on DoD-funded research efforts to understand the effects of multiple stressors on marine mammals and terrestrial species. Specifically, investigators will discuss advancing the understanding of the cumulative risk of multiple stressors on marine mammals, and exploring the nature, drivers, and impacts of interactions among multiple stressors affecting at-risk species.

The Federal Utility Partnership Working Group (FUPWG) Seminar meets to share best practices, success stories, case studies, information about Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) activities, and other business.

The EPA released a compliance guide for the 2024 methylene chloride risk management rule issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The compliance guide will help industry, workers and other interested stakeholders understand and comply with the new regulations to prevent injuries, long-term illnesses and deaths. In April 2024, EPA finalized a ban on most uses of methylene chloride, a dangerous chemical known to cause liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, cancer of the blood, and cancer of the central nervous system, as well as neurotoxicity, liver harm and even death. This regulation will protect people from health risks while allowing key uses to continue safely with a robust Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP).

EPA's computational toxicology research efforts evaluate the potential health effects of thousands of chemicals. The process of evaluating potential health effects involves generating data that investigates the potential harm, or hazard of a chemical, the degree of exposure to chemicals as well as the unique chemical characteristics.

USFWS proposes to designate critical habitat for the Barrens topminnow (Fundulus julisia) under the ESA. In total, approximately 1.5 acres (0.6 hectares) of spring pool and 11.4 miles (18.3 kilometers) of spring run in Cannon, Coffee, Dekalb, Franklin, Grundy, and Warren Counties, Tennessee, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. They also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Barrens topminnow. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 9 September 2024. Daniel Elbert, Field Supervisor, USFWS, Tennessee Ecological Services Office, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, TN 38501; tele 931-528-6481. (Federal Register 9 July 2024 [Proposed Rule] Pages 56253-56275)

This package of materials is intended to be used by building owners and operators to develop a scope of work for a building-level Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Audit for operational Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. The aim of the scope of work template is to achieve building-level solutions that will reduce operational emissions.

Northern California's Mendocino National Forest includes thousands of acres of mixed conifer forests, oak woodlands, and chaparral and has recently experienced unusually severe and devastating fire seasons. It is also home to outstanding recreation opportunities. This session will explore how the USFS is working with partners to use recreation infrastructure such as trails to manage wildfires and rehabilitate recreation areas impacted by wildfire to improve access and resilience.

Recent enhancements to the Prison Hill Recreation Area in Carson City, NV, included many features designed to increase recreation value and resource sustainability. The Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department worked with community members and partners to design and implement projects to increase accessibility, and develop both a non-motorized trail system and an OHV riding area that is resilient to weather events and reduces wildfire risks. This session will highlight the results of turning an unsustainable resource into one that provides benefits to both people and the land.

Increasing access to outdoor recreation and making forward-looking investments in recreation infrastructure are solutions that public land agencies must consider as they strengthen the integration of climate change mitigation into decision-making, operations, policies, and program delivery. While the impacts of wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and droughts are complex and far-reaching, the need to consider and integrate multi-faceted solutions - including outdoor recreation - cannot be overstated. This webinar features a panel of outdoor recreation policy and industry experts who are working to ensure that outdoor recreation infrastructure supports proactive solutions as well as disaster response and recovery and that access to outdoor recreation remains a priority for public lands agencies in the face of a changing climate.

Join Clean Energy Group in exploring the best practices, opportunities, and obstacles in advancing resilient power  solar PV paired with battery storage (solar storage)  in historically marginalized communities. Through an interactive 2-hour session, the 'Resilience, Storage, and Grid Benefits Community Convening' will explore household- and community-level resilience, grid strengthening and grid-level resilience, and improved health outcomes through reduced or shortened power outages.

These two webinars focus on research efforts to develop climate change assessment tools use at DoD facilities. The first presentation is titled: "Development of a Decision Support Aid System Connecting Climate Model Downscaling and DoD Infrastructure". This presentation will addresses the increasing vulnerability of DoD infrastructure to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. It emphasizes the need for site-specific climate information, which bridges the gap between coarse-resolution global climate models (GCMs) and the localized conditions affecting DoD installations. The second presentation is titled: "Fit for Purpose? An Integrative Assessment of State-of-the-Science Downscaling Methods for DoD Infrastructure Planning" This research addresses the challenge of evaluating climate risks to DoD infrastructure across different U.S. regions, including Alaska and Hawaii. The study criticizes the lack of a standardized assessment framework for downscaling methods, which complicates effective climate adaptation planning within the DoD. To address this gap, the project aims to develop a decision support tool that systematically evaluates various downscaling methods in terms of their design, performance, and relevance to specific DoD installations and climate threat variables.

These two webinars focus on research efforts to develop and demonstrate technologies for PFAS destruction in concentrated liquid waste streams. This first study titled "Validation of a UV/TiO2 Activated Alkaline Media for Destruction of PFAS in Concentrated Liquid Waste Streams" focuses on validating a UV/TiO2 activated alkaline media technology for the destruction of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in concentrated liquid waste streams. The UV/SGM (Sodium Gluconate Mediated) technology offers a promising solution for treating complex liquid waste matrices. This includes waste streams like regenerable ion exchange resin concentrate, foam fractionate, reverse osmosis reject, and neat AFFF. The second research project titled "Demonstration of a Pilot-Scale Continuous Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT) System for DoD-Relevant, PFAS-Impacted Matrices" investigates the Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT) process as a method for destroying PFAS in complex wastewater matrices. HALT operates under subcritical water conditions (>300?C, ~20 MPa, pH > 14), converting PFAS into inorganic salts such as NaF and Na2CO3. This method is distinguished by its ability to treat high total dissolved solids and total organic carbon content in wastewater, achieving over 99% destruction efficacy for all types of PFAS.

This rule amends certain aspects of the hazardous waste manifest regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, specifically about the e-Manifest system. A manifest accompanies shipments of hazardous waste. This rule is intended to reduce the reporting burden on industry and states, increase information availability, improve compliance monitoring, and prepare for future potential integration with biennial reporting requirements. EPA aims to modernize and streamline the manifest process, increasing expected benefits of the e-Manifest system and encouraging further adoption of electronic manifests through increased utility of the system

USFWS proposes to remove the white sedge (Carex albida) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (i.e., "delist" the species). Their review of the best available scientific and commercial data indicate that the white sedge is not a discrete taxonomic entity and does not meet the definition of a species as defined by the ESA. White sedge has been synonymized with Lemmon's sedge (Carex lemmonii). This taxonomic revision means that the white sedge is no longer a scientifically accepted species. If finalized, this rule as proposed, would remove the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 7 and 9, for the white sedge. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 3 September 2024. POC is Michael Fris, Field Supervisor, USFWS, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825; tele 916-414-6700. (Federal Register 2 July 2024 [Proposed Rule] Pages 54758-54761)

EPA is holding a set of 'Office Hours' for users of EJScreen, the Agency's environmental justice screening and mapping tool. These Office Hours will be a chance for the public to talk with EPA EJScreen experts about many topics including how to use and apply the tool, technical issues, and any other questions. EPA will hold these sessions on a bimonthly basis.

Administration announced the recipients of the Presidential Federal Sustainability Awards. The Presidential Federal Sustainability Awards recognize federal agencies and employees who have made transformational efforts to advance sustainability and climate resilience and lead by example to deliver on President Biden's goal to slash emissions from federal operations. Awardees were selected from a pool of over 140 nominations and represent domestic and international facilities or projects spanning 10 federal agencies.

USFW determine threatened species status under the ESA for the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelids suwanniensis), a large, freshwater turtle species from the Suwannee River basin in Florida and Georgia. This rule adds the species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. They also finalize a rule issued under the authority of section 4(d) of the Act that provides measures that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of this species. They have determined that designating critical habitat for the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle is not prudent. This rule is effective 29 July 2024. POC is Lourdes Mena, Classification and Recovery Division Manager, Florida Ecological Services Field Office, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256-7517; email: Lourdes_Mena@fws.gov; tele: 352-749-2462. (Federal Register 27 June 2024 [Rule] Pages 53507-53528)

EPA issued a memorandum that provides guidance to EPA Regions, states, and territories on when and how to consider potential adverse climate change impacts in the hazardous waste permitting process under the RCRA. This guidance includes recommendations for conducting climate change vulnerability screenings and assessments for treatment, storage, and disposal facilities to determine whether there are climate vulnerabilities that hazardous waste permits should address.