Federal Independent Agencies
Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
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TVA Turbines at Johnsonville Ready to Meet Winter Demand
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 -- The Tennessee Valley Authority issued the following news release:* * *
TVA Turbines at Johnsonville Ready to Meet Winter Demand
Release Summary
* TVA officially dedicated 10 new state-of-the-art aeroderivative natural gas units at Johnsonville on Monday, November 17.
* These units are online in time for peak demand this winter. Along with existing combustion turbine natural gas units, the Johnsonville site includes more than 1,300 megawatts of reliable, flexible generation.
* Editor's Note - Click here for interviews, b-roll and photo gallery (https://storestuff.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/14125_164831949?response-content-disposition=attachment%3B%20filename%3D%22Johnsonville%2520Release%2520Content.zip%22%3B%20filename%2A%3DUTF-8%27%27Johnsonville%2520Release%2520Content.zip&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAVSTDGYGYUYHTGN4D&Expires=1763449287&Signature=cNLq%2BvYxzL3s2C0J823tBBVKuHw%3D).
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KNOXVILLE, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 -- The Tennessee Valley Authority issued the following news release: * * * TVA Turbines at Johnsonville Ready to Meet Winter Demand Release Summary * TVA officially dedicated 10 new state-of-the-art aeroderivative natural gas units at Johnsonville on Monday, November 17. * These units are online in time for peak demand this winter. Along with existing combustion turbine natural gas units, the Johnsonville site includes more than 1,300 megawatts of reliable, flexible generation. * Editor's Note - Click here for interviews, b-roll and photo gallery (https://storestuff.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/14125_164831949?response-content-disposition=attachment%3B%20filename%3D%22Johnsonville%2520Release%2520Content.zip%22%3B%20filename%2A%3DUTF-8%27%27Johnsonville%2520Release%2520Content.zip&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAVSTDGYGYUYHTGN4D&Expires=1763449287&Signature=cNLq%2BvYxzL3s2C0J823tBBVKuHw%3D). * KNOXVILLE,Tenn. - As the energy landscape evolves and seasonal demands intensify, the Tennessee Valley Authority is reinforcing its commitment to building more American energy with the official dedication of 10 new state-of-the-art aeroderivative natural gas units at its Johnsonville site. The dedication ceremony, held Monday, November 17, featured TVA President and CEO Don Moul alongside state, local, and federal officials and local power providers.
"This is more than a milestone for TVA, it's a promise kept to power the region, strengthen the economy, and serve the people who call this Valley region home," said Moul. "TVA is building the energy system that will power next-generation industries and technologies - one that is flexible, resilient, and ready to meet the evolving needs of our communities. These new units represent our long-term vision for a more reliable grid that supports economic growth and energy security across the Southeast."
The new turbines, located west of Nashville, add 530 megawatts of fast-start, flexible generation capacity--enough to power approximately 300,000 homes. Combined with 14 existing combustion turbine units, the Johnsonville site can deliver more than 1,300 megawatts of dispatchable power to TVA's grid, which serves more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states.
The Johnsonville units are TVA's first deployment of aeroderivative gas technology, designed to ramp up or down quickly to meet fluctuating demand. These units have already proven their value during the summer's extreme heat and are now positioned to support peak winter demand.
TVA's strategic foresight extends beyond Johnsonville. Construction is underway on 16 additional aeroderivative units at the Kingston Energy Complex in Roane County, Tennessee. In total, TVA is building approximately 6,200 megawatts of new generation capacity--over 3,500 megawatts of which are already under construction, enough to power 2 million homes.
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About TVA
The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation's largest public power supplier, delivering energy to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA has one of the most diverse energy systems - including nuclear, hydro, coal, gas, solar and advanced technologies. TVA is making significant investments in its power system toward new generation and transmission.
TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. TVA maintains some of the lowest energy costs and highest reliability in the nation. TVA's residential rates are lower than those paid by 80% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities, and its industrial rates are lower than those paid by over 90% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities. In addition, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. Learn more at tva.com.
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Original text here: https://www.tva.com/news-media/releases/new-tva-turbines-at-johnsonville-ready-to-meet-winter-demand
National Gallery of Art, Washington, and National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, Collaborate on Global Cultural Exchange
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:* * *
National Gallery of Art, Washington, and National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, Collaborate on Global Cultural Exchange
Collaboration will launch with largest-ever international exhibition of Indigenous Australian art premiering in Washington in 2025
Exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art will tour North America 2025-2027
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The National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne, Australia, announce a cultural partnership that will facilitate ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release: * * * National Gallery of Art, Washington, and National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, Collaborate on Global Cultural Exchange Collaboration will launch with largest-ever international exhibition of Indigenous Australian art premiering in Washington in 2025 Exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art will tour North America 2025-2027 * The National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne, Australia, announce a cultural partnership that will facilitatethe global exchange of key works from the permanent collections of both leading arts institutions. This collaborative effort creates new opportunities for global audiences to experience defining works of art that reflect these respective cultures.
The exchange will begin with one of the largest exhibitions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art ever presented internationally. The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art will premiere on November 15, 2025, at the National Gallery of Art and subsequently travel to the Denver Art Museum in Colorado, the Portland Art Museum in Oregon, and the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts.
Curated by Myles Russell-Cook, Artistic Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), and former Senior Curator at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) especially for North American audiences and drawn exclusively from their world-leading collection, the exhibition features nearly 200 works by more than 130 artists. Through a rich display of iconic masterpieces, including many that have never before left Australia, The Stars We Do Not See charts the evolution and breadth of Indigenous art from the late 19th century to the present, revealing a rich history of creativity.
In 2027, the National Gallery of Art will send an exhibition of major works from its renowned collection of modern and contemporary American art to NGV.
"We are thrilled to collaborate with the National Gallery of Victoria in this cultural exchange, which will see our storied American art collection reaching audiences on the other side of the world. We are very pleased to be able to bring these important Indigenous Australian artworks to US audiences, many for the very first time," said Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art. "This exhibition exchange has been a joyful collaboration with the staff at the NGV and our North American partners. We are all deeply grateful for the generous loans of so many masterpieces from the NGV Collection."
"Many of the works traveling are globally recognized as undisputed masterpieces--with many visitors traveling to the NGV in Melbourne just to see these iconic examples of Indigenous Australian art. Never before has a volume of works of this size and national significance toured internationally, making this a truly rare opportunity for North American audiences to experience and appreciate these globally important works up close," said Tony Ellwood AM, director of the National Gallery of Victoria. "One of the core roles of the NGV as a public institution is to share Australian arts and culture with as many people as possible. We are delighted to be partnering with our North American colleagues to share the work and stories of these important Australian First Nation artists with the world."
The Stars We Do Not See introduces audiences to customary forms and styles in Indigenous Australian art, including the conceptual map paintings of the Central and Western Deserts (sometimes colloquially referred to as "dot paintings"), ochre bark paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and ambitious experimental weavings, as well as the work of new-media artists who both challenge and build upon tradition with groundbreaking works in neon, video, photography, sound, and much more.
Highlighting distinct visual iconographies of Indigenous Australia, which is made up of more than 250 Indigenous nations, the works featured span the Australian continent, including the Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land, Far North Queensland, the Torres Strait, the Central Desert, Southwestern Australia, the Kimberley, the Southeast, and more.
Highlight works never before seen in North America include Emily Kam Kngwarray's magnum opus and largest painting, Anwerlarr Anganenty (Big Yam Dreaming) (1995). This icon of the NGV Collection measures over nine by twenty-six feet and represents the underground network of roots and yams. This immense canvas, drawn in a single, continuous line, highlights the gesture and spontaneity for which Kngwarray's body of work is globally renowned.
The exhibition's title, The Stars We Do Not See, is inspired in part by the late senior Yolnu artist Gulumbu Yunupinu (1943-2012), who, after her passing, became known as "Star Lady" for her extensive paintings of the night sky. Yunupinu's intricate works, a selection of which will be featured in the exhibition, use crosses to represent the stars we can see and a dense network of dots to symbolize the stars we cannot see--the unseen expanse of the universe. The Yolnu people live in Arnhem Land, with Star Lady coming from a community in the northeast known as Yirrkala. Arnhem Land is a region at the top of the Northern Territory that is internationally known for its artists' work on bark.
Urban-based contemporary artists working in new media are represented throughout the exhibition, with key works by influential artists such as Brook Andrew, Richard Bell, Reko Rennie, Ricky Maynard, Maree Clarke, and Lorraine Connelly-Northey. Highlights include Christian Thompson's Burdi Burdi (Fire Fire) (2021), a four-channel sound installation that explores the loss of First Nations languages, as well as Destiny Deacon's Snow Storm (2005), in which found Black ragdolls have been placed inside a clear Perspex cube filled with polystyrene balls. The work draws a connection between the concept of "the white cube" and the way Aboriginal material culture has historically been presented in a clinical, museological environment.
The Hon. Jacinta Allan, Premier of the Australian State of Victoria, said, "We are proud to support this exhibition which celebrates the rich histories and cultures of Victoria's First Peoples, honoring the oldest living culture in history and sharing their stories with people from across the country and the globe."
"It is impossible for any exhibition to fully capture the diversity and complexity of Australian Indigenous art. Since long before the invention of the written word, First Nations people have transmitted important cultural knowledge through a combination of art, song, dance, and story," said Myles Russell-Cook, Artistic Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), and former Senior Curator at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). "These works represent 65,000 years of culture, sharing the unique and special qualities of First Peoples art in Australia with the world. Both the book and the exhibition represent a significant community effort, which I hope will foster greater connection and understanding of First Peoples culture and art."
Exhibition Organization and Sponsors
The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington and the National Gallery of Victoria, in association with the Denver Art Museum, the Portland Art Museum, and the Peabody Essex Museum.
Bank of America is the North America Tour Sponsor for the exhibition.
Major support has also been provided by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation.
Exhibition Tour
National Gallery of Art, Washington, November 15, 2025-March 1, 2026
Denver Art Museum, Colorado, April 19-July 26, 2026
Portland Art Museum, Oregon, September 5, 2026-January 3, 2027
Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts, February 27-June 13, 2027
Exhibition Curator
The exhibition is curated by Myles-Russell-Cook, former senior curator of Australian and First Nations art, National Gallery of Victoria and current artistic director & CEO of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art with the coordinating curatorial support of Michael Gentle, Sophie Gerhard, and Sophie Prince. At the National Gallery of Art, the exhibition is coordinated by Lynn Matheny, deputy head of interpretation and curator of special projects and by E. Carmen Ramos, chief curatorial and conservation officer, with additional curatorial input from Dakota Hoska, curator of Native American and Global Indigenous Art.
Exhibition Publication
The exhibition is accompanied by a major new book published by the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Art, in association with D.A.P./Distributed Art Publishers Richly illustrated with more than 150 individual artwork plates by First Nations Australian artists, the volume features over 30 contributing authors and all-new writing on artists and works in the exhibition, including an essay on the history of Indigenous art in Australia by exhibition curator Myles Russell-Cook. This book also includes a glossary and a foldout map of Indigenous Australia, that provide an entry point into First Nations Australian art, culture, and history. The book will be available for purchase in the West Building, East Building, and Concourse Shops and at shop.nga.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.nga.gov/press/national-gallery-art-washington-and-national-gallery-victoria-australia-collaborate-global-cultural
NASA, SpaceX Launch US-European Satellite to Monitor Earth's Oceans
PASADENA, California, Nov. 18 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:* * *
NASA, SpaceX Launch US-European Satellite to Monitor Earth's Oceans
Sentinel-6B will extend a decades-long legacy of global sea level measurements that help forecast weather, protect coastal communities, and more.
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About the size of a full-size pickup truck, a newly launched satellite by NASA and its partners will provide ocean and atmospheric information to improve hurricane forecasts, help protect infrastructure, and benefit commercial activities, such as shipping.
The Sentinel-6B ... Show Full Article PASADENA, California, Nov. 18 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news: * * * NASA, SpaceX Launch US-European Satellite to Monitor Earth's Oceans Sentinel-6B will extend a decades-long legacy of global sea level measurements that help forecast weather, protect coastal communities, and more. * About the size of a full-size pickup truck, a newly launched satellite by NASA and its partners will provide ocean and atmospheric information to improve hurricane forecasts, help protect infrastructure, and benefit commercial activities, such as shipping. The Sentinel-6Bsatellite lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in central California at 9:21 p.m. PST on Nov. 16. Contact between the satellite and a ground station in northern Canada occurred about 1 hour and 30 minutes later at 10:54 p.m. All systems are functioning normally.
"Understanding tidal patterns down to the inch is critical in protecting how we use our oceans every day on Earth," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Sentinel-6B will build upon the legacy of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich by making sea level measurements that improve forecasts used by communities, businesses, and operations across the country. It also will support a safer reentry for our astronauts returning home, including crew from Artemis Moon missions."
Sea levels vary from place to place, and the satellite will provide accurate measurements at both local and global scales -- all from hundreds of miles above in low Earth orbit. Those observations form the basis for U.S. flood predictions, which are crucial for safeguarding coastal infrastructure, real estate, energy storage sites, and other coastal assets. Sentinel-6B will take over for Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, which launched in 2020 and later became the official reference satellite for global sea level measurements, providing sea surface height measurements against which those from other satellites are compared for accuracy.
The satellite comes from a collaboration between multiple partners, including NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It also is part of the European Union's family of Copernicus missions.
"Collaboration between partners is key to a mission such as Sentinel-6, and my thanks go to everyone involved in developing, launching, and operating this exceptional satellite, which follows in the footsteps of the first Sentinel-6, Michael Freilich," said Simonetta Cheli, director, ESA's Earth Observation Programmes. "This achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished when international agencies and industries work together toward a shared goal. Sentinel-6B will ensure we continue to collect the high-precision data needed to understand our changing climate, safeguard our oceans and support decisions that protect coastal communities around the world."
The two satellites make up the Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) mission, the latest in a series of ocean-observing radar altimetry missions that have monitored Earth's changing seas since the early 1990s.
As with its predecessor, Sentinel-6B satellite also will provide key information about wind speeds, wave heights, atmospheric temperature, and humidity. Moreover, because water expands as its temperature increases, researchers can tell which parts of the ocean are warmer than others based on where the sea surface height is greater.
Combined with data from other instruments, that knowledge can help in forecasting marine weather, including the development of hurricanes, which intensify with warmer water. Also, because large currents are taller than surrounding waters due to their higher temperatures, sea surface measurements can shed light on interactions between the Gulf Stream, for example, and nearby waves. Where they meet, seas can become rougher, presenting a hazard to even the largest ships.
"Sentinel-6B is a testament to the value of NASA's partnership missions to put actionable satellite information and science into the hands of decision-makers on the ground," said Karen St. Germain, director, NASA Earth Science Division at the agency's headquarters. "Sentinel-6B will collect ocean surface observations that will inform decisions critical to coastal communities, commercial shipping and fishing, national defense, and emergency preparedness and response. This is what NASA does --puts advanced technology and science into action for the benefit of the nation."
When Sentinel-6B reaches its operating elevation, the satellite will fly about 30 seconds behind Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, which carries identical science instruments. Once the mission finishes cross-calibrating the data collected by the two, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich will move into a different orbit, and Sentinel-6B will take over the role of official reference satellite, orbiting Earth about 13 times a day at 830 miles (1,336 kilometers) above the surface.
"Sentinel-6B demonstrates the versatile Earth science applications made possible by expertly engineered, space-based technology. The satellite's powerful suite of instruments will measure about 90% of Earth's oceans down to fractions of an inch -- continuing to add to a vital dataset that America and a growing global community depend on," said Dave Gallagher, director, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California.
More about Sentinel-6B
Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS is a collaboration between ESA, the European Union, EUMETSAT, NASA, and NOAA. French space agency CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) contributed technical support. Copernicus, which includes the Sentinel missions, is the European Union's Earth observation program led by the European Commission.
A division of Caltech in Pasadena, JPL contributed three science instruments for each Sentinel-6 satellite: the Advanced Microwave Radiometer, the Global Navigation Satellite System - Radio Occultation, and the laser retroreflector array. NASA also is contributing launch services, ground systems supporting operation of the NASA science instruments, the science data processors for two of these instruments, and support for the U.S. members of the international Ocean Surface Topography Science Team, and Sentinel-6 science teams.
To learn more about Sentinel-6B, visit:
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/sentinel-6B/
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Original text here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-spacex-launch-us-european-satellite-to-monitor-earths-oceans/
IDB Report Urges Boost in Agricultural Productivity to Guarantee Food Security in Latin America and the Caribbean
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (TNSrep) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:* * *
IDB Report Urges Boost in Agricultural Productivity to Guarantee Food Security in Latin America and the Caribbean
Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean face a unique opportunity to boost agricultural productivity to safeguard food security, improve rural livelihoods, and protect the environment, according to a new flagship report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The study, titled "Agricultural Productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean: What We Know and Where ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (TNSrep) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release: * * * IDB Report Urges Boost in Agricultural Productivity to Guarantee Food Security in Latin America and the Caribbean Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean face a unique opportunity to boost agricultural productivity to safeguard food security, improve rural livelihoods, and protect the environment, according to a new flagship report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The study, titled "Agricultural Productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean: What We Know and WhereWe Are Heading," (https://publications.iadb.org/en/agricultural-productivity-latin-america-and-caribbean-what-we-know-and-where-we-are-heading) reveals that although total output has increased nearly sixfold since 1960, recent growth has relied more on the increased use of inputs - such as land, labor, fertilizers, machinery, and water - than on productivity gains.
Between 2010 and 2020, total factor productivity (TFP) - a key measure of efficiency - grew by just 0.9% per year, compared with an annual average of 1.7% over the previous 60 years. This deceleration threatens the ability to meet rising food demand in a region where 28% of the population faces food insecurity and nearly four in ten rural residents live in poverty.
"This report offers a practical, evidence-based roadmap for policymakers to boost agricultural productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean," said Fabrizio Opertti, manager of the IDB's Productivity, Trade, and Innovation Sector. "By identifying the drivers of sustainable growth and highlighting technology adoption, climate-smart innovation, and inclusion, the report provides countries with tools to improve yields and efficiency, protect natural capital, and unlock the potential to turn agriculture into an engine of competitive and resilient development," he added.
To encourage sustainable productivity growth in the region, the report calls for closing the technology-adoption gap by strengthening technical assistance, farmers' training, and extension services. It also encourages incorporating environmental impacts into productivity metrics and policy design to ensure long-term sustainability.
The study emphasizes climate adaptation as a key opportunity to enhance resilience and competitiveness, and urges countries to address social disparities through tailored, data-driven interventions. It advocates balancing direct support with investments in public goods, such as infrastructure, research, and innovation, and strengthening agricultural-data systems to enable evidence-based policymaking across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The report includes case studies analyzing agricultural productivity at national and subnational levels in nine countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
It also introduces the Sustainable Productivity Index (SPI), which incorporates environmental costs into the measurement of agricultural productivity growth in the region between 1995 and 2021. The SPI shows that while the region has made significant progress in increasing agricultural output, overall performance appears less robust once environmental sustainability is factored in, underscoring the need to balance agricultural production with ecological responsibility for sustainable growth.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the region's economy, contributing 6% of GDP, 15% of employment, and 24% of exports. Bringing together cutting-edge research, the study aims to help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean design policies that promote higher productivity, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience, advancing a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable agricultural future for the region.
Download the executive summary in Spanish here (https://publications.iadb.org/es/productividad-agricola-en-america-latina-y-el-caribe-que-sabemos-y-hacia-donde-vamos-resumen).
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-report-urges-boost-agricultural-productivity-guarantee-food-security-latin-america-and-caribbean
USPS Operation Santa letter adoption begins
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release:* * *
USPS Operation Santa letter adoption begins
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Key Takeaways
* Letter adoption for USPS Operation Santa opens today, Nov. 17.
* New emphasis on adopting family letters including a built-in team option to help fulfill multiple wishes from the same household.
* Santa's Gift Shoppe powered by Toys"R"Us is back with a much larger selection of items, making it easy to shop and ship gifts online from home.
* Adopters should ship gifts by Dec. 13 to help ensure on-time delivery for the holidays.
WASHINGTON ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release: * * * USPS Operation Santa letter adoption begins * Key Takeaways * Letter adoption for USPS Operation Santa opens today, Nov. 17. * New emphasis on adopting family letters including a built-in team option to help fulfill multiple wishes from the same household. * Santa's Gift Shoppe powered by Toys"R"Us is back with a much larger selection of items, making it easy to shop and ship gifts online from home. * Adopters should ship gifts by Dec. 13 to help ensure on-time delivery for the holidays. WASHINGTONThe U.S. Postal Service today announced that USPS Operation Santa is now open for letter adoption for the 2025 holiday season. Starting today, individuals, families, workplaces and community groups can go to USPSOperationSanta.com to adopt letters to Santa and help make the holidays brighter for children and families across the country.
This year, USPS is placing a special emphasis on adopting family letters including a new way to do it as a team to help ensure letters from the same household are adopted and fulfilled together.
"We invite the public to join us in spreading holiday cheer by adopting a USPS Operation Santa letter," said Sheila Holman, the Postal Service's vice president of marketing. "Every year, we receive far more letters than those adopting. So if you have the means, we encourage you to adopt a letter. And this year we're making it easier for groups to adopt family letters making the holidays brighter for everyone in a household. And they're fun and easy to complete with friends or coworkers."
Letter Adoption Now Open
Adopters can visit USPSOperationSanta.com and follow the steps below to fulfill a letter:
1. Create a login and verify your identity;
2. Browse available letters from across the U.S;
3. Adopt the letters you love including family letters;
4. Shop for the perfect gift through Santa's Work Shoppe or on your own; and
5. Ship your gift right away through our online catalog or from a Post Office location
To help ensure gifts arrive in time for the holidays, adopters should ship gifts no later than Dec. 13. Sending gifts as early as possible helps families know their holiday wishes have been met.
Adopt Family Letters as a Team
USPS is highlighting a feature that makes it easier to fulfill letters from the same household together:
* Join forces to fulfill the whole crew One person creates the team and invites friends, family, or coworkers to help fulfill a family's letters.
* Each person take a page Team members can claim the letter from the family that speaks to them and invite others to adopt the rest.
* You're in charge All letters in the family must be adopted. The team admin can see unclaimed letters and adopt the remaining ones to make sure the family is fully covered.
This option is designed for offices, teams, community groups and organizations that want to make a bigger impact together.
Santa's Gift Shoppe Makes It Easy to Shop and Ship
To help make letter adoption easier than ever, Santa's Gift Shoppe powered by Toys"R"Us is back this year with a much larger selection of items. Adopters can send gifts directly from the newly expanded online catalog, saving a trip to a Post Office location and keeping the experience seamless.
Santa's Gift Shoppe is designed to:
* Give adopters a quick, easy way to find the perfect gift
* Save time and money with free shipping on orders over $49
* Streamline sending gifts directly to the recipient because all packaging and shipping is handled for you
* Support adopters who want to fulfill multiple letters including family letters in one session
"We want to make it as easy as possible to participate," Holman added. "You can adopt single or family letters as a team, shop for the perfect gift quickly and easily online, and get it delivered directly from Santa's Gift Shoppe, all from the comfort and convenience of home. And the best part is, the earlier you adopt, the sooner you can help make somebody's holiday wish come true."
How to Get Started
* Visit USPSOperationSanta.com ;
* Adopt letters beginning Nov. 17;
* Ship gifts by Dec. 13; and
* Encourage friends, colleagues, and community groups to adopt family letters
For more information, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.
The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter ; Instagram ; Pinterest ; Threads ; and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.
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Original text here: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2025/1117-usps-operation-santa-letter-adoption-begins.htm
EPA Delivers Additional 100 Top Environmental Accomplishments, 300 Environmental Wins Now Highlighted Since President Trump Took Office in January
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:* * *
EPA Delivers Additional 100 Top Environmental Accomplishments, 300 Environmental Wins Now Highlighted Since President Trump Took Office in January
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WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin shared 100 additional environmental accomplishments EPA has achieved in the last 100 days, recognizing 300 days of fulfilling the agency's statutory obligations, and delivering clean air, land, and water for all Americans under President Donald Trump's leadership. ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA Delivers Additional 100 Top Environmental Accomplishments, 300 Environmental Wins Now Highlighted Since President Trump Took Office in January * WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin shared 100 additional environmental accomplishments EPA has achieved in the last 100 days, recognizing 300 days of fulfilling the agency's statutory obligations, and delivering clean air, land, and water for all Americans under President Donald Trump's leadership.
This progress includes announcing a proposed rule today that establishes a clear, durable, common-sense definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS), completing 100 days of "pressure testing" Tijuana-San Diego wastewater projects from the July 2025 U.S.-Mexico Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and accelerating timelines by nine months, secured our border from dangerous illegal pesticides through enforcement action, led emergency response efforts and cleanup efforts in communities across the nation, and so much more.
These 100 actions build on Administrator Zeldin's list of 100 pro-environmental actions taken by the agency during President Trump's First 100 Days in office and another 100 pro-environmental actions highlighted at the 200-day milestone to total 300 featured accomplishments.
"We are thrilled to announce another 100 top accomplishments from the last 100 days in our mission to meet our statutory duties and defend human health and environmental quality," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "The Trump EPA is showing that we can be exceptional environmental stewards while Powering the Great American Comeback. 300 days, 300 major environmental wins - this is the energy that propels us forward and the pace that motivates us. We will keep working tirelessly to secure success after success for America's environment and families nationwide."
This snapshot represents the great work done by the agency on a daily basis as EPA continues to fulfill its core mission of protecting human health and the environment, while committing to commonsense policies that drive down prices, unleash American energy, advance permitting reform and cooperative federalism, make America the AI capital of the world, and revitalize the auto industry.
1. Announced a proposed rule that establishes a clear, durable, common-sense definition of WOTUS under the Clean Water Act.
2. Completed 100 days of "pressure testing" Tijuana-San Diego wastewater projects following the July 2025 U.S.-Mexico MOU, accelerating timelines by nine months while advancing funding discussions with Mexico that will contribute to permanently ending the flow of raw sewage from Mexico into the United States.
3. Issued an Interim Final Rule to cut red tape on the temporary-use Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators (CISWI) for natural disaster debris removal, providing state, local and Tribal governments with the ability to quickly and effectively clean up their communities
4. Issued guidance directing regional offices to work with local, state, Tribal, and federal partners to remove barriers in State Implementation Plans (SIPs) that discourage prescribed fires.
5. Established orders under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5(e) for 68 new chemicals that may present unreasonable risk.
6. Proposed 144 and finalized 170 significant new use rules (SNURs) under TSCA for chemicals approved in the new chemicals program, ensuring these chemicals do not pose unreasonable risks to human health or the environment.
7. Decreased the backlog of pesticide submissions under review by over 5,200 from the start of the Administration to the beginning of November, ensuring growers and other users have the tools they need to protect our food supply, combat pests and respond to other public health and environmental issues.
8. Hosted a webinar for almost 400 building code officials covering lead hazards, EPA lead-safe work certification requirements, and protective practices during home renovations.
9. Streamlined review processes for over 3,000 company chemical risk notifications (including PFAS and pesticides), distributing 900+ to improve regulatory decisions protecting human health and the environment.
10. Issued vital guidance needed for publishing bilingual labels to better protect farmworkers and other users from pesticide exposures and ensure proper use.
11. Held a webinar attended by 882 participants aimed at training farmers, applicators, and other users on how to comply with Endangered Species Act label mitigations.
12. Secured U.S. border from dangerous pesticides and chemicals through enforcement actions resulting in 13 total defendants, $6.3 million in financial penalties, and 29 months imprisonment.
13. Concluded 1,778 enforcement cases, which will reduce, treat, or eliminate nearly 86 million pounds of air, chemical, and water pollution.
14. Concluded 41 enforcement cases totaling more than $714.4 million for past and future Superfund cleanup work addressing more than 58.8 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and water.
15. Conducted 6,457 inspections and 3,807 offsite compliance monitoring activities.
16. Issued the Residential Lead Directive for CERCLA Sites and RCRA Hazardous Waste Cleanup Program Facilities.
17. Announced the selection of 25 communities to receive assistance through the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities.
18. Distributed $86.2 million in supplemental Hurricane Helene recovery funds to support debris removal, management, and property reuse evaluation.
19. Hosted the biennial Brownfields conference with over 2,600 stakeholders, offering 185 sessions and eight workshops focused on sharing best practices for contaminated property remediation and redevelopment.
20. Signed 10 Clean Air Act regulatory actions in New England including 5 final State Implementation Plan (SIP) rulemakings.
21. Issued nine TSCA PCB Cleanup and Disposal Approvals to support New England infrastructure and redevelopment.
22. Finalized a consent order requiring removal of PFAS foam and system cleaning at Brunswick Executive Airport in Maine.
23. Signed Interim Record of Decision for the Tinkham Garage Superfund Site in New Hampshire to address contamination in drinking water.
24. Signed an Action Memo to mobilize cleanup efforts of PCBs and lead in a Dartmouth, Massachusetts, residential neighborhood.
25. Completed decision document for cleanup at Lower Neponset River Superfund Site in Massachussetts to remove contaminated soil and sediment, stabilize and restore riverbanks.
26. Conducted outreach on the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) to 689 companies and individuals in Maine with lapsed certifications, sponsored training, and approved training provider accreditation.
27. Approved revised Clean Water Act Section 320 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan to protect and restore Great Bay and Hampton-Seabrook estuary watersheds in New Hampshire.
28. Installed 108 Point of Entry Treatment water systems to address PFAS contamination and sampled over 350 wells and provided bottled water to almost 200 residents near the Route 31 Sludge Superfund removal site in New Jersey.
29. Finalized agreement with NRGY Development, LLC, requiring asbestos contamination removal to secure the former Goudey Power Station Site in New York.
30. Issued a Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for EcoElectrica, a company that produces about 15% of Puerto Rico's electricity.
31. Reached settlement with the Newark Housing Authority requiring lead testing and abatement across 11 pre-1978 properties housing about 5,500 residents in New Jersey.
32. Issued a Safe Drinking Water Act order to the City of Syracuse, New York, requiring improvements and public education to address lead in the water.
33. Issued a Unilateral Administrative Order under Superfund law requiring Messer LLC to perform vapor intrusion mitigation for the Cinnaminson Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site in New Jersey.
34. Responded to a serious fire in Gorham, New York, establishing air monitoring and developing plans to address flareups while working to remove hazardous substances (primarily expired hand sanitizer).
35. Completed removal of approximately 100,000 gallons of expired hand sanitizer and 30 cubic yards of contaminated soil from Niagara Falls, New York.
36. Gained full accreditation to perform a sophisticated analysis for toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air in Region 2.
37. Expedited evaluation of Maryland's Animal Feeding Operations Discharge Permit in just 27 days, reducing permit review time by 70%.
38. Conducted extensive sampling at Atlantic Wood Industries Superfund Site in Virginia, analyzing over 1,500 oysters to evaluate remedial success.
39. Hosted over 60 federal and state stakeholders for collaborative training on environmental remediation, groundwater investigation, and radon risk reduction in Region 3.
40. Strengthened multi-agency preparedness with training on train derailments, radiological security, oil spills, and hazardous materials emergency planning and response.
41. Advanced clean water protections through approved selenium criteria in Virginia and new sediment total maximum daily limits.
42. Completed oyster reef recovery in 10 target tributaries and restored more than 2,900 acres of habitat with Chesapeake Bay partners.
43. Forged first-ever Agriculture Memorandum of Understanding with Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to expand collaboration on agricultural practices that benefit the environment, regulatory and compliance programs, training, communication, and education.
44. Launched a new macroinvertebrate subsampling station at Fort Mifflin in Pennsylvania to strengthen regional Clean Water Act monitoring.
45. Removed 1,815 pounds of contamination at Southern Solvents Superfund Site in Tampa, Florida, and achieved the Remedial Action goal.
46. Sampled 515 residential properties, remediated 161 properties, and disposed of more than 30,000 tons of contaminated material to safeguard residents from lead exposure at the Southside Chattanooga Lead Superfund Site in Tennessee.
47. Completed a $1.98 million cleanup at Continental Cleaners Superfund Site in Miami, Florida, that protects the Biscayne aquifer, Miami-Dade's sole source of drinking water.
48. Provided Risk Assessment training to 40 state project managers in Columbia, South Carolina.
49. Finalized a report on particulate Action Levels related to metal emissions from lithium-ion battery fires to enhance and guide protective actions.
50. Enhanced EPA's partnership with Citrus County, Florida, to advance $1.2 million for the Septic-to-Sewer program.
51. Distributed $685 million for recovery in partnership with FEMA and local officials, resulting in 122 pre-application projects in 59 communities for flood risk reduction and resiliency enhancement, as we recently marked the first anniversary since the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
52. Worked to collect 54,000 gallons of oil-water mix, stabilize nearby waterways and drinking water sources, and prevent further contamination following the UPS Flight 2976 crash in Louisville, Kentucky.
53. Collaborated with Department of Energy (DOE) on the first land lease in the nation under the Hall Amendment for beneficial site redevelopment with lease of 100-acre parcel of Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant Superfund site.
54. Completed two-year residential cleanup project addressing PCB-contaminated soil at 56 properties on the Ten Mile Drain Superfund site in Kentucky.
55. Approved Michigan's regional haze state implementation plan revisions, addressing pollution that causes visibility issues at national parks and wilderness areas.
56. Completed a time-critical cleanup of a former balloon factory to remove hundreds of containers of hazardous materials in Malvern, Ohio.
57. Excavated more than 5,000 tons of PCB-contaminated soil discovered by the city of Detroit during construction of the Joe Louis Greenway.
58. Cleaned up properties contaminated by a fire at a Newburgh, Indiana, manufacturing facility which spread caustic ash over a large part of the community.
59. Removed Muskegon Lake, Michigan, from the list of the most environmentally degraded areas in the Great Lakes.
60. Reached a settlement to resolve alleged lead-paint renovation violations in South Bend, Indiana.
61. Reached settlement for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act requiring company to reduce lead and particulate matter emissions.
62. Sailed more than 8,000 miles, sampled 382 sites and hosted hundreds of students and visitors during EPA research vessel Lake Guardian's 2025 survey of Great Lakes water quality.
63. Collaborated with the state of Ohio and numerous local partners to begin the long-anticipated process to remove Cuyahoga River's Gorge Dam.
64. Removed more than 2,100 tons of spilled asphalt from the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal.
65. Led emergency response at Smitty Supply explosion and fire in Louisiana deploying 464 EPA employees and contractors to conduct air monitoring and recover 7,622,181 gallons of oily waste and 3,769,668 gallons of CERCLA waste from the Tangipahoa River.
66. Signed final Clean Air Act Minor New Source Review permit for Texas GulfLink Deepwater Port, the first use of an offshore support vessel to house VOC vapor control technology.
67. Conducted oversight of the depressurization of four flanged tritium waste containers at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.
68. Signed proposed approval of Oklahoma SIP Revisions for New Source Review permitting and general SIP updates, addressing 13 SIP submittals.
69. Provided expedited sample results for 61 indoor air samples for volatile organic compounds from 16 residential properties in the CCI Superfund site in Kansas.
70. Awarded task order contract that reduces mobilization time by approximately 280 days for the Superfund Removal and Remedial Program in Region 7.
71. Awarded $148,000 to the City of Cambridge, Nebraska, for rehabilitation of Cambridge's Wastewater Treatment Plant.
72. Collected fish tissue samples at four locations near Montrose, Missouri, to address potential concerns with the Montrose facility and fly ash storage.
73. Signed a final action to approve revisions to the Missouri SIP to resolve a discrepancy between federal and state requirements.
74. Signed a final action to approve revisions to the Kansas SIP to redesignate the Salina Area from nonattainment to attainment for the 2008 Lead (Pb) NAAQS.
75. Collected and analyzed bacterial samples at 48 sites on the Maquoketa and upper Iowa River watersheds in northeast Iowa.
76. Finalized agreement with liable parties for cleanup of a 15,000-ton pile of elemental sulfur in Peru, Kansas, resulting in site cleanup at no taxpayer cost.
77. Approved an aquifer exemption for the Lisbon Valley Mine Project in Utah to include underground recovery of copper, expanding current mining operations with less surface disturbance.
78. Signed North Dakota's Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) final rule, allowing the state to permit CCR disposal in surface impoundments and landfills.
79. Signed a proposed rule approving a SIP revision for Montana, addressing regional haze and visibility requirements related to the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
80. Approved revisions to Montana's water quality standards in House Bill 664, maintaining narrative criteria to protect against harmful effects of nutrient pollution.
81. Signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana and Idaho to create NPDES permitting efficiencies for the Clean Water Act Section 401 Process.
82. Supported Colorado's efforts in a chemical removal action at Otero County schools, with over 3,400 containers added to collection efforts.
83. Reached a settlement with Kennecott Utah Copper requiring the mining company to monitor wetlands, study groundwater contamination, and pay oversight costs at the Kennecott North Zone Superfund Site near Salt Lake City, Utah.
84. Hosted Proposed Plan public meeting in Billings, Montana, with record attendance, identifying EPA's Preferred Alternative for addressing contaminated indoor air detected in homes, schools, and commercial buildings in the downtown area.
85. Paved the way toward cleanup at the Northeast Church Rock site near Gallup, New Mexico, by concluding a consent decree to remove approximately one million cubic yards of uranium mine waste.
86. Completed removal of approximately 150,000 pounds of illegally stored fireworks, nitrous oxide gas, and hand sanitizer at a warehouse in Commerce, California.
87. Completed Dededo waste piles removal action in Guam, removing approximately 31,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and installing new fencing to prevent future dumping.
88. Concluded an agreement with owners of a supermarket chain to remove multiple unregistered pesticides illegally sold throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada.
89. Completed four PFAS treatment systems to safeguard drinking water in southern California's Irvine Ranch and Orange County Water Districts to protect over 9,500 households from PFAS.
90. Began oversight of unprecedented lithium-ion battery removal from the Moss Landing, California, energy storage facility damaged in a January 2025 fire.
91. Completed transfer of almost one million tons of Maui wildfire debris to permanent disposal two months ahead of schedule, transitioning to the restoration phase.
92. Issued five orders to drinking water systems in Arizona, California, and Nevada for failing to complete lead service line inventories and customer notifications.
93. Completed remediation of 413,000 cubic yards of mine waste s and restoration of 17 acres Bunker Hill Superfund Site's Tamarack Complex project in northern Idaho and eastern Washington.
94. Completed the Gray's Meadow Remedial Action in Idaho restoring 695 acres of former agricultural land to clean wetland habitat.
95. Approved Alaska's Air Quality Plan for Fairbanks North Star Borough, providing cleaner air while saving Alaskans from costly provisions.
96. Issued Cooperative Agreements to advance cleanup of contaminated Alaska Native Corporation lands, with 296 sites remaining to be verified out of nearly 1,200.
97. Remobilized to the Cosmo Specialty Fibers site in Washington to conduct an expanded removal evaluation assessing risks to nearby fish-bearing waters from hundreds of thousands of gallons of chemicals remaining in over 47 above-ground storage tanks after mill closure.
98. Awarded the City of Seattle $3 million to help implement their South Park Drainage Improvements Project, that will manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and protect Seattle residents, property, and public infrastructure from contaminants like BETX, VOCs, and various metals.
99. Awarded a $965,000 Community Grant to the Town of Washtucna in Washington State to design and construct a new community well and pump station, bolstering the reliability of a safe drinking water supply for the community.
100. Approved Texas SIP for SO2 interstate transport requirements.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-delivers-additional-100-top-environmental-accomplishments-300-environmental-wins
EPA & Army Corps Unveil Clear, Durable WOTUS Proposal
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:* * *
EPA & Army Corps Unveil Clear, Durable WOTUS Proposal
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Definition to Protect Water Resources, Accelerate Growth & Economic Opportunity
WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, together with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, today announced a proposed rule that would establish a clear, durable, common-sense definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The proposal, unveiled at an event today ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA & Army Corps Unveil Clear, Durable WOTUS Proposal * Definition to Protect Water Resources, Accelerate Growth & Economic Opportunity WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, together with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, today announced a proposed rule that would establish a clear, durable, common-sense definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The proposal, unveiled at an event todayat EPA headquarters in Washington, DC, follows the Supreme Court decision in Sackett and delivers on the Trump Administration's commitment to protect America's waters while providing the regulatory certainty needed to support our nation's farmers who feed and fuel the world and advance EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative.
The agencies developed this proposed rule using input from multiple sources, including a pre-proposal recommendations docket, information from nine public listening sessions, and consultation comments from states, tribes, and local governments. Key proposed revisions include:
* Defining key terms like "relatively permanent," "continuous surface connection," and "tributary" to appropriately delineate the scope of WOTUS consistent with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court precedent;
* Establishing that jurisdictional tributaries must connect to traditional navigable waters either directly or through other features that provide predictable and consistent flow;
* Reaffirming that wetlands must be indistinguishable from jurisdictional waters through a continuous surface connection, which means that they must touch a jurisdictional water and hold surface water for a requisite duration year after year;
* Strengthening state and tribal decision-making authority by providing clear regulatory guidelines while recognizing their expertise in local land and water resources;
* Preserving and clarifying exclusions for certain ditches, prior converted cropland, and waste treatment systems; Adding a new exclusion for groundwater; and
* Incorporating locally familiar terminology, such as "wet season," to help determine whether a water body qualifies as WOTUS;
* In addition, the limitation to wetlands that have surface water at least during the wet season and abut a jurisdictional water will further limit the scope of permafrost wetlands that are considered to have a continuous surface connection under the proposed rule. These proposed changes are intended to provide clarity and consistency to the continuous surface connection definition.
When finalized, the rule will cut red tape and provide predictability, consistency, and clarity for American industry, energy producers, the technology sector, farmers, ranchers, developers, businesses, and landowners for permitting under the Clean Water Act.
"When it comes to the definition of 'waters of the United States,' EPA has an important responsibility to protect water resources while setting clear and practical rules of the road that accelerate economic growth and opportunity," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "Democrat Administrations have weaponized the definition of navigable waters to seize more power from American farmers, landowners, entrepreneurs, and families. We heard from Americans across the country who want clean water and a clear rule. No longer should America's landowners be forced to spend precious money hiring an attorney or consultant just to tell them whether a Water of the United States is on their property. EPA is delivering on President Trump's promise to finalize a revised definition for WOTUS that protects the nation's navigable waters from pollution, advances cooperative federalism by empowering states, and will result in economic growth across the country."
"In recent decades, the regulatory uncertainty caused by changing and complicated definitions of Waters of the United States unduly burdened the American people and undermined our nation's economic competitiveness," said Assistant Secretary Telle. "Now, we are proposing a definition that follows the law as affirmed by the Supreme Court and will deliver the clear and durable regulatory certainty Americans deserve from the federal government."
"We are pleased that the new rule protects critical water sources while respecting the efforts of farmers to protect the natural resources they've been entrusted with," said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. "The Supreme Court clearly ruled several years ago that the government overreached in its interpretation of what fell under federal guidelines. We are still reviewing the entire rule, but we are pleased that it finally addresses those concerns and takes steps to provide much-needed clarity."
The definition of WOTUS influences Clean Water Act implementation, including whether farmers, landowners, and American businesses must secure permits before they can pursue projects that might impact surface water quality. Having a durable, consistent, and clear definition of WOTUS is essential to lowering costs for Americans and accelerating economic growth while protecting human health and the environment.
Under the Biden Administration, EPA and the Army's Amended 2023 definition of WOTUS failed to follow the law and faithfully implement the Supreme Court's holding in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. Under Administrator Zeldin's leadership, EPA and the Army Corps took swift action by issuing a memo in March clarifying the limits on federal jurisdiction over adjacent wetlands. This proposed rule is the next step toward establishing a common-sense, durable definition.
The agency's proposed definition of WOTUS would fully implement the court's direction by focusing on relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of watersuch as streams, oceans, rivers, and lakesand wetlands that are connected and indistinguishable from such waterbodies. It will accelerate economic prosperity by revising, for example, exclusions for certain ditches, prior converted cropland, and waste treatment systems and by adding an exclusion for groundwater. The proposal also takes into account seasonal and geographic variability by including waters that flow uninterrupted throughout the wetter months in the proposed definition of "relatively permanent" waters, based on pre-proposal feedback.
This proposal recognizes that states and tribes know their local land and water resources best. The proposed definition of WOTUS protects water quality by affirming federal protections where appropriate and supporting the role of states and tribes as primary regulators managing their own land and water resources. Cooperative federalism has been a cornerstone of Clean Water Act implementation and the agency's proposed WOTUS rule at last fulfills that commitment to real, shared federal and state responsibility. The proposed rule was informed by input from a pre-proposal recommendations docket and consultation comments from states, tribes, and local governments. The agencies also considered information provided through nine listening sessions, including public sessions hosted online and in-person from West Virginia and Utah.
The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register and open for public comment for 45 days. EPA and the Army will host two hybrid public meetings. Details about commenting either in writing or during a public meeting can be found on EPA's website. The agencies look forward to reviewing public comment while working to expeditiously develop a final rule.
Please see additional information on Waters of the United States Exit EPA's website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-army-corps-unveil-clear-durable-wotus-proposal