District Court for the District of South Carolina for violations of the federal Clean Water Act and Administrative Procedure Act when it adopted the new restrictive regulations under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. These organizations have previously sued the EPA in the U.S. The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. research on air and water pollution to three explanations: air pollution. The Oregon Environmental Protection Act ensures that the federal environmental standards of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts that were in place and. The notice informs the EPA of the organizations’ intent to bring suit for violation of the Endangered Species Act if the EPA does not comply with the Act in 60 days. (2000a 2000c)s evaluation of the Clean Water Act its own regulation. “In eliminating the rights of states and local residents to put in place these protections, the EPA has failed in its fundamental duty to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service before taking such harmful action.” 'My bill with Senator Booker, the Environmental Justice Act of 2021, will strengthen. Having clean water to drink and clean air to breathe is not a privilege for the affluent few it's a right and common good for everyone,' said Dr. “Over decades, states and local communities have required that federal permits include requirements to protect important natural resources, including rare fish, plants, and birds,” said Senior Attorney Frank Holleman. The Environmental Justice Act is an important step in returning power to these communities. Fish and Wildlife Service before making changes that would harm endangered and threatened species, to ensure those changes would not jeopardize the species’ continued existence. Under the Endangered Species Act, the EPA was required to consult with the U.S. 1319), offeror shall include in its offer a statement clearly setting forth the facts and circumstances of said conviction and shall list the facilities. 7413) or section 309(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. The new EPA rules would restrict the ability of states and local residents to secure those protections. (a) If performance of this contract would involve the use of facilities which have given rise to a conviction under section 113(c)(1) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. In many instances, local communities have requested and states have put in place conditions that protect rare species in the areas impacted by federally permitted projects. The EPA has adopted new Section 401 regulations that eliminate the ability of states and their residents to ensure that projects requiring federal permits and licenses do not harm local clean water and natural resources.ĮPA has failed in its fundamental duty. SELC sent the notice on behalf of South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, South Carolina Native Plant Society, Amigos Bravos, Natural Resources Defense Council, Savannah Riverkeeper, and Waterkeeper Alliance. Today, the Southern Environmental Law Center notified the Environmental Protection Agency that it violated the Endangered Species Act when it cut back on the rights of states and local communities under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.