The final rule to list the Magnificent Ramshorn as an endangered species with critical habitat (Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2022–0070) is scheduled to publish in the Federal Register on Friday, August 18, 2023. The effective date is September 18, 2023.

 The Magnificent Ramshorn has a narrow documented historical range in southeastern North Carolina; it inhabited freshwater ponds in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, and it is believed to be extirpated in the wild. The species currently survives in three captive breeding facilities, and the Service plans to work with partners to increase propagation that will support reintroduction of snails into the wild and support recovery.

The Draft Recovery Plan for the Neuse River Waterdog has been released and is open for public comment. To read the draft plan and for more information, click here.

The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) issues a bi-weekly newsletter (The National Desk) which is available to NAEP members and member chapters. The latest issue includes a story regarding the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. To read more of this story, click here.

NEPA Caselaw Update Webinar

June 7, 2023 3PM (ET)

This webinar will mirror the NEPA Caselaw presentation provided during the recent NAEP 2023 Conference & Training Symposium, with updates as warranted. The panel is focused on a paper that reviews substantive National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) cases issued by the United States Courts of Appeals in 2022. The implications of the decisions and their relevance to NEPA practitioners will be explained. This webinar will summarize the more detailed paper prepared for the 2023 conference session.

On December 30, 2022, the agencies announced the final "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'" rule which will be effective 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. The agencies developed this rule with consideration of the relevant provisions of the Clean Water Act and the statute as a whole, relevant Supreme Court case law, and the agencies’ technical expertise after more than 45 years of implementing the longstanding pre-2015 “waters of the United States” framework. This rule also considers the best available science and extensive public comment to establish a definition of “waters of the United States” that supports public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth. More information about the final rule is available below.

Press release: https://www.epa.gov/wotus/revising-definition-waters-united-states

Pre-publication of the final notice: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-12/Pre-Publication%20Final%20Rule%20Notice.pdf

NCAEP is happy to announce that a donation was made to the Howell Woods Operational Fund of Johnston County Community College as a thank you for hosting the April 2022 NC Wetland Assessment Method Class. The donation will go toward providing students with high-quality educational opportunities to achieve their educational and career goals.

Due to an amazing response to the release of the Common Wetland Plants Guide, economy and premium versions of the guide are available on Amazon!

Links to these versions are available here: https://www.ncwetlands.org/plantguide/

The PDF version is free and can also be found at the link above.

The Final Regional Conditions for the reissuance of 40 existing nationwide permits (NWPs) and 1 new NWP, in the Wilmington District have been announced. The proposed Regional Conditions for these NWPs in the Wilmington District are Final, as per approval by and signature of the South Atlantic Division Engineer, 31 January 2022. These 41 NWPs will go into effect on February 25, 2022, and will expire on March 14, 2026. For more information and to read the release, go to: https://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory-Permit-Program/Public-Notices/article-view-display/Article/2921972/final-regional-conditions-for-nationwide-permits/

May 16-19
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Registration is now open for the NAEP 2022 Annual Conference & Training Symposium! For more information and to register, click here!

Enthusiastic environmental professionals from across the country gather each year at the NAEP Annual Conference & Training Symposium to share in the opportunity to learn about new projects, share technical knowledge, network with other industry professionals, engage with leaders in environmental technologies and practice.

After two years taking the conference virtual, the NAEP Conference Committee and the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals are excited to welcome you to the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in Florida, May 16–19, 2022!

The full text of this Public Notice can be found at the following link: https://deq.nc.gov/news/events/public-notice-2021-08-23-401-program

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) invites public comment on its draft 401 Water Quality General Certifications (GCs) that it may reissue as part of its consideration of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Wilmington District (USACE) proposed reissuance of ten Regional General Permits (RGPs) and one Programmatic General Permit (PGP), collectively, “General Permits” (GPs). On March 29, 2021, the USACE provided notice of its proposal to modify and reissue these current GPs.

The public is invited to comment in writing to the DWR on the documents described above.  Comments should be emailed to:  PublicComments@ncdenr.gov; please include “401GCs” in the email’s subject line.  Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the NC Division of Water Resources, Attn: Sue Homewood, 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd., Winston-Salem, NC, 27107. Comments must be received no later than close of business on September 24, 2021.