Coronavirus-caused Slowdown Contrasts with January Figures Showing a Majority of Metro Areas Added Construction Jobs; Officials Note New Infrastructure Funding and Paid Family Leave Fixes are Needed
Construction Firms Are Already Taking Steps to Protect Employees, Most of Whom Already Wear Protective Equipment, While Halting Work Will Undermine Efforts to Add Hospital Capacity
As of March 5, a majority of federal agencies, including the Department of Labor (DOL) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have launched guidance portals in accordance with a pair of executive orders (EO 13891 and EO 13892). These measures, signed by President Trump in October 2019, intend to reduce the impact of agency guidance the White House believes has become a back-door means of regulation. The orders target significant guidance that could have the potential to impact the economy, the environment, public health, or state, local, or tribal communities.
On Feb. 27, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released for public comment a draft of its general permit to regulate stormwater discharges from most industrial activities. Construction companies that perform activities associated with cement or concrete manufacturing, asphalt paving, minerals mining, or landfill operations will all likely be impacted by changes to EPA鈥檚 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). The MSGP applies where EPA is the permitting authority and sets the standard for related general permits issued by states. 澳门六合彩开奖预测 is working with a coalition to submit comments to EPA in advance of the deadline.
On Feb. 24, 澳门六合彩开奖预测 CEO Steve Sandherr, along with other national business leaders, spoke at a press briefing on the need to streamline the environmental review process for projects that require federal approval in order to unlock American investment in modern, efficient infrastructure while鈥痑dvancing鈥痝ood environmental stewardship. On Feb. 25, 澳门六合彩开奖预测 presented the same message at the White House Council on Environmental Quality鈥檚 (CEQ) public hearing on proposed regulations out for public comment that would update the rules implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
澳门六合彩开奖预测 is preparing comments on a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed update to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that would clarify when damage to protected birds would result in criminal charges. The Feb. 3 proposal would codify the Trump administration鈥檚 Solicitor鈥檚 Opinion M-37050 that determined 鈥渋ncidental take鈥 resulting from otherwise lawful action does not violate the Act---and instead would prohibit actions specifically directed at migratory birds, their nests, or their eggs. Currently, construction contractors actively avoid and minimize impacts on migratory birds and implement protective measures outlined by the Service. However, that does not eliminate the risk of severe penalties. For further information on this proposal, click 鈥渓earn more鈥
Save the Date for July 14-16, 2020, in Louisville, KY
On Jan. 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized an 澳门六合彩开奖预测-supported rule to define 鈥渨aters of the United States鈥 鈥 providing clarity when a federal permit is needed for work in or near federal waters. The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule better identifies federal waters, respects states鈥 primary role in land use and pollution prevention, and balances major case law from the last couple of decades.
Trump Administration Proposal to Reform the Federal Environmental Review Process Will Fix Problems with Current Process While Maintaining Environmental Rigor, Construction Officials Say
On Jan. 9, 澳门六合彩开奖预测 urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose H.R.535, the PFAS Action Act of 2019. The bill, which is expected for a floor vote on Jan. 10, threatens to derail and overwhelm ongoing efforts at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study PFAS and develop science-based, protective regulations for specific types of PFAS when warranted. 澳门六合彩开奖预测 further expressed its concern that the bill may result in mandates that put construction contractors unnecessarily at risk of Superfund liability on normal, 鈥渆very day鈥 projects where trace amounts of PFAS may be found in the dirt or groundwater. This bill will open contractors up to risk without specific 鈥淕ood Samaritan鈥 or innocent contractor provisions to protect them. 澳门六合彩开奖预测 also joined other business organizations in a joint appeal to urge a 鈥淣O鈥 vote on this measure.