The Northern Long-Eared Bat and The Final 4(d) Rule
The Northern Long-Eared Bat was listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act in April 2015. The US Fish and Wildlife Service published the final 4(d) rule this January which identifies the required informal and formal consultation which may be required for the review of development and transportation projects.
Read more about the impacts of the final 4(d) rule that went into effect in February.
REGULATORY UPDATE: Clean Water Rule Status
On February 22, 2016 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit agreed to hear consolidated arguments against the proposed Clean Water Rule. In August 2015, this same court issued an injunction that postponed the numerous challenges against the rule until all of the legal issues could be sorted out. On December 8, 2015 the circuit court heard arguments for and against combining the various cases against the proposed Clean Water Rule. The circuit court decision consolidates the nearly 20 lawsuits filed in various district courts challenging the Clean Water Rule.
A ruling is expected by the end of 2016, or early 2017. For now, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the regulatory community are following the processes for jurisdictional determinations that were in place prior to the proposed new Clean Water Rule.
(Source: National Law Review)
Early Wetland Delineation Growing Season?
Our recent mild winter means that the official 2016 growing season may come early! Contact us now to schedule your Spring 2016 growing season wetland delineations and on-site field work. For more information, contact Scott Brejcha, Wetland Consulting Group Leader at 630.729.6325 or sbrejcha@v3co.com.
