Environment

517. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); the status of the payment that was due in December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8082/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 21 February 2017

517. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); the status of the payment that was due in December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8082/17]

511. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will be paid an AEOS payment which is due to them. [8069/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 21 February 2017

511. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will be paid an AEOS payment which is due to them. [8069/17]

Het Kustpact

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 21 February 2017

Het Kustpact

Employment: Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 20 February 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the number of jobs in the UK dependent on the green economy.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Recruitment

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 20 February 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department operates a ban the box employment policy in respect of ex-offender job applicants with unspent convictions; and how many employees of her Department have unspent

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Uber

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 20 February 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much her Department has spent on (a) Uber for Business and (b) other Uber transactions since 28 October 2016.

Environment: Treaties

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 20 February 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of which exclusive and mixed international environmental agreements in which the EU currently participates the Government plans to seek to be pa

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 20 February 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Department for Exiting the European Union on the contents of the White Paper entitled The United Kingdom's exit from and new partnership with the

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Contracts

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 20 February 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total (a) number and (b) value of Government contracts that have been contracted out by her Department was in each year since 2010; what the value of pro bono costs was in eac

Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 20 February 2017

To ask Her Majesty’s Government which parts of which primary and secondary legislation pertaining to the environment (1) they, (2) the Environment Agency, and (3) Natural England, judge to be unviable to transpose into UK and devolved law through the Grea

Voornaamste budgettaire mutaties begrotingen Infrastructuur en Milieu sinds de Najaarsnota

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 20 February 2017

Voornaamste budgettaire mutaties begrotingen Infrastructuur en Milieu sinds de Najaarsnota

Environment

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 17 February 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason her Department has not yet announced a date of publication for its 25-year plan for the environment.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Pay

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 17 February 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) mean and (b) median pay was for staff in her Department who were (i) male, (ii) female, (iii) white, (iv) from an ethnic minority background, (v) disabled and (vi) non-dis

Red Hill Oversight and Environmental Protection Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2017

Red Hill Oversight and Environmental Protection Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that: (1) its budget justification materials submitted to Congress include a description of how it will use funds to support any deliverables that the parties of the agreement between the Department of the Navy, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 9, and the State of Hawaii Department of Health, entered into on September 28, 2015, have identified as necessary to mitigate and prevent fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu, Hawaii; and (2) each future-years defense program describes how DOD will use funds to support deliverables that the parties to such agreement identified as necessary to mitigate and prevent such leaks. The EPA must ensure that its budget justification materials submitted to Congress include a description of how it will use funds to support such deliverables. DOD may obligate or expend specified amounts to carry out an unspecified minor military construction project for the sustainment and maintenance of the facility. DOD shall submit to the congressional defense committees written notice of any decision to carry out such project, including a justification for, and the estimated cost of, such project. The authority to carry out such project shall terminate on September 30, 2030.

Expressing concern regarding the prevalence of hexavalent chromium in drinking water in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2017

Recognizes the importance of protecting the American people from drinking water polluted with carcinogens. Urges state and local governments and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set standards for hexavalent chromium in drinking water. Encourages the consideration of a tax break for purchase of a filtration system to mitigate the effects of hexavalent chromium. Urges government agencies to determine the causes of harmful levels of hexavalent chromium and take appropriate mitigation actions.

Finanzierung von gewaltsamen Konflikten bei der Rohstoffbeschaffung unterbinden

Austria · National Council · 16 February 2017

Bericht des Außenpolitischen Ausschusses über den Antrag 1934/A(E) der Abgeordneten Tanja Windbüchler-Souschill, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Finanzierung von gewaltsamen Konflikten bei der Rohstoffbeschaffung unterbinden

272. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons who applied for agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, that have received their total 2016 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of persons who have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the total number of AEOS recipients who have yet to receive payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7925/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 February 2017

272. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons who applied for agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, that have received their total 2016 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of persons who have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the total number of AEOS recipients who have yet to receive payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7925/17]

SENSE Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2017

Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act or the SENSE Act This bill modifies the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule as it applies to certain electric utility steam generating units (electric power plants) that convert coal refuse into energy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must maintain the existing limits for sulfur dioxide emissions from coal refuse utilities under the cap-and-trade system, instead of applying the more restrictive limits that are scheduled to go into effect in 2017. (Under the current system, a cap sets a limit on emissions. The cap is lowered over time to reduce the amount of pollutants released. Utilities may only emit as much carbon as permitted under their allowances, which may be traded with others.) Thus, EPA must allocate to coal refuse utilities in 2017 and subsequent years the same number of emissions allowances for sulfur dioxide that have been previously allocated to coal refuse utilities, instead of reducing allowances. After January 1, 2017, a coal refuse utility may not trade any unused sulfur dioxide allowances. Those allowances may be saved by the coal refuse utilities for use in future compliance periods. The EPA may not increase the total number of allowances for sulfur dioxide emissions from all sources that are allocated to each state. The bill eases emission limits for hazardous air pollutants from coal refuse utilities. The EPA must allow the utilities to meet compliance requirements by meeting the maximum achievable control technology standards for either hydrogen chloride or sulfur dioxide.

Small Tracts Conveyance Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2017

Small Tracts Conveyance Act This bill requires the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for a state (respecting certain public lands) or the Regional Forester with jurisdiction over the National Forest System (NFS) land of a specific Forest Service Region (respecting certain NFS lands) to select an eligible federal lands parcel for conveyance: (1) in response to a request by an adjacent landholder (any holder of non-federal land that shares one or more boundaries with such a parcel and who requests to purchase such a parcel), or (2) upon the recommendation of the BLM District Office or NFS unit that exercises administration over such parcel. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior shall each create a process by which an adjacent landholder may request to purchase an eligible parcel. A conveyed eligible parcel may not exceed 160 acres unless the BLM or the Forest Service approves a request for additional acreage. An adjacent landholder may only acquire one eligible parcel a year, subject to an exception. The BLM or the Forest Service, as consideration for the sale of an eligible parcel, shall require a cash payment that is equal to at least the fair market value of such parcel, including the mineral estate, being conveyed. The purchaser of an eligible federal lands parcel under this bill shall cover the costs to be incurred, or to reimburse the BLM or the Forest Service for the costs incurred, in carrying out the conveyance. A conveyance of an eligible federal lands parcel under this bill is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the periods March 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017, October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018, and October 1, 2018 through February 28, 2019.

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2017

Authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees for March 1, 2017-September 30, 2017, for FY2018, and for October 1, 2018-February 28, 2019: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (11) Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; (12) Judiciary; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business and Entrepreneurship; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Special Committee on Aging; (17) Select Committee on Intelligence; and (18) Indian Affairs. Requires committee expenses, with specified exceptions, to be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman of the applicable committee. Authorizes establishment of a special reserve within funds in the Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations account, to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses.

Discouraging Frivolous Lawsuits Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2017

Discouraging Frivolous Lawsuits Act This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise requirements concerning citizen suits. Litigation costs (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) must be awarded to the prevailing party, thus the bill removes a court's discretion to award the fees. A prevailing party is defined as the party that prevails on more than half of the claims at issue. The bill repeals the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny or restrict the use of any area as a disposal site for dredged or fill material when the discharge of those materials would have an unacceptable adverse effect on municipal water supplies, shellfish beds and fishery areas, wildlife, or recreational areas. Current law requires compensatory mitigation to replace the loss of aquatic resource functions in a watershed when a permit to discharge dredged or fill materials into navigable waters has unavoidable impacts on aquatic resources. This bill prohibits government entities from carrying out compensatory mitigation in excess of existing regulatory requirements.

Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2017

Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act This bill requires the U.S. Coast Guard to: (1) address the regulation of discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel into navigable waters, including ballast water discharges; and (2) preempt applicable state laws and federal regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act). Ballast water is water and suspended matter taken on board a commercial vessel to control or maintain trim, draught, stability, or stresses of the commercial vessel. This bill requires commercial vessels to meet ballast water discharge standards established by the Coast Guard. By 2022, the Coast Guard must complete an effectiveness review to determine whether revising ballast water discharge standards will result in reducing the risk of introducing or establishing aquatic nuisance species. Further revisions to the standards must be considered every 10 years. If the standard would result in reducing the risk of introducing or establishing aquatic nuisance species, then the Coast Guard must conduct a practicability review to determine whether: (1) a ballast water management system that is capable of achieving the proposed standard is economically achievable and operationally practicable, and (2) testing protocols can accurately measure compliance. The Coast Guard must revise the standard if it meets practicability criteria. The Coast Guard must also issue rules establishing: (1) reasonable and practicable standards for reception facilities to mitigate adverse effects of aquatic nuisance species on navigable waters, and (2) best management practices for certain discharges for commercial vessels that are at least 79 feet in length and are not fishing vessels.

Stop WOTUS Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2017

Stop WOTUS Act This bill nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water Rule published on June 29, 2015, which defines the scope of waters protected under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act).

Red Hill Oversight and Environmental Protection Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2017

Red Hill Oversight and Environmental Protection Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that: (1) its budget justification materials submitted to Congress include a description of how it will use funds to support any deliverables that the parties of the agreement between the Department of the Navy, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 9, and the State of Hawaii Department of Health, entered into on September 28, 2015, have identified as necessary to mitigate and prevent fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu, Hawaii; and (2) each future-years defense program describes how DOD will use funds to support deliverables that the parties to such agreement identified as necessary to mitigate and prevent such leaks. The EPA must ensure that its budget justification materials submitted to Congress include a description of how it will use funds to support such deliverables. DOD may obligate or expend specified amounts to carry out an unspecified minor military construction project for the sustainment and maintenance of the facility. DOD shall submit to the congressional defense committees written notice of any decision to carry out such project, including a justification for, and the estimated cost of, such project. The authority to carry out such project expires on September 30, 2030.

Opinion of Advocate General Kokott delivered on 16 February 2017.#Túrkevei Tejtermelő Kft. v Országos Környezetvédelmi és Természetvédelmi Főfelügyelőség.#Request for a preliminary ruling from the Szolnoki Közigazgatási és Munkaügyi Bíróság.#Reference for a preliminary ruling — Environment — Articles 191 and 193 TFEU — Directive 2004/35/EC — Applicability ratione materiae — Air pollution caused by illegal waste incineration — Polluter-pays principle — National legislation establishing joint liability between the owner of the land on which the pollution occurred and the polluter.#Case C-129/16.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 16 February 2017

Drittlandexporte von Rindern

Austria · National Council · 15 February 2017

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Christiane Brunner, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an die Bundesministerin für Gesundheit und Frauen betreffend Drittlandexporte von Rindern

Sicherheit der tschechischen Atomkraftwerke Dukovany und Temelin

Austria · National Council · 15 February 2017

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Werner Neubauer, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend die Sicherheit der tschechischen Atomkraftwerke Dukovany und Temelin

Schadstoffwerte an der A 12 Inntal Autobahn

Austria · National Council · 15 February 2017

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Carmen Schimanek, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Schadstoffwerte an der A12 Inntalautobahn

Schadstoffwerte an der A 12 Inntal Autobahn

Austria · National Council · 15 February 2017

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Carmen Schimanek, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie betreffend Schadstoffwerte an der A12 Inntalautobahn

252. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to commissioning an independent analysis of the benefits of onland closed containment systems for fish farms in view of the risks to the environment from marine-based salmon farms. [7491/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 February 2017

252. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to commissioning an independent analysis of the benefits of onland closed containment systems for fish farms in view of the risks to the environment from marine-based salmon farms. [7491/17]

244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) did not receive payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7466/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 February 2017

244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) did not receive payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7466/17]

Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2017

Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2017 This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize for FY2018-FY2022 and revise the drinking water state revolving fund (SRF), including to require SRF-funded projects to use iron and steel produced in the United States. The bill revises requirements for state Intended Use Plans for SRF funds, including to require the plans to: (1) list systems that are not in compliance with national primary drinking water regulation, (2) reserve a specified amount of funding for assistance for disadvantaged communities, and (3) prioritize SRF funding for disadvantaged communities when steps to implement improvements to meet new drinking water standards are not affordable to those communities. The bill repeals: (1) requirements for regulations on variance technologies, and (2) state authority to exempt small public water systems from national primary drinking water regulations if the system installs certain treatment techniques. The Environmental Protection Agency must: prescribe follow up inspections after violations by public water systems, establish requirements for electronic submission of compliance monitoring data by public water systems, study the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in drinking water sources, collect data on best practices for administration of SRF programs, implement a voluntary certification program for effective water loss and leak control technology, and submit a strategic plan for assessing and managing the risks of drought to drinking water provided by public water systems. The bill also reauthorizes for FY2018-FY2022 a grant program for certain lead reduction projects.

Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2017

Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 2016 This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to revise regulations for drinking water contaminants, including by: requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine whether or not to regulate no fewer than 10 contaminants every 3 years (current law requires 5 contaminants every 5 years); revising the process and requirements for setting maximum containment levels in national primary drinking water regulations; directing the EPA to revise national primary drinking water regulations for lead and copper; setting deadlines for the EPA to publish maximum contaminant level goals and promulgate national drinking water regulations for perchlorate, perfluorinated compounds, and microcystin (algal) toxin; establishing grant programs for reducing lead in drinking water in schools; requiring community water systems to assess their vulnerabilities to contamination, including vulnerabilities from climate change or sabotage, and develop plans for addressing those vulnerabilities; establishing the Drinking Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program, under which the EPA may award grants for community water systems to increase their resiliency to those threats; removing a regulatory exemption for hydraulic fracturing; requiring the EPA to develop a strategic plan for assessing and managing the risks of drought to drinking water provided by public water systems; revising requirements for the drinking water state revolving fund (SRF); creating a process for consolidating water systems that repeatedly fail to comply with drinking water standards; requiring the EPA to create an inventory of data about drinking water violations; directing the EPA to revise regulations for consumer confidence reports; establishing research grants for monitoring technology; and requiring the EPA to study the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in drinking water sources. The bill reauthorizes specified programs under the Act, including reauthorizing through FY2022 the SRF.

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Army to provide for modification of certain Federal water resources development projects on the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2017

This bill directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate the federal water resources projects on the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia in a manner that ensures the maintenance of freshwater flows. The term "freshwater flows" is defined as the quality, quantity, timing, and variability of freshwater flows required to: (1) support and reestablish the ecological integrity of the rivers, commercial and recreational fisheries dependent on freshwater flows into Apalachicola Bay and adjacent waters, and thriving and diverse fish, wildlife, and plant populations similar to those found prior to construction of the projects; (2) restore and recover species that are endangered, threatened, or at risk; and (3) prevent significantly harmful adverse impacts to the Chattahoochee and Apalachicola River ecosystems. The Corps of Engineers must enter into an arrangement for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a study that evaluates existing data related to freshwater flows and provides recommendations on how to maintain such flows. The Corps shall not issue a final water control manual based on the final environmental impact statement titled "Update of the Water Control Manual for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia and a Water Supply Storage Assessment," dated December 2016, but shall: (1) issue revised water control manuals for such projects that ensure the maintenance of freshwater flows, considering the findings of NOAA's study; (2) ensure that operational modifications needed to maintain freshwater flows are achieved while providing system-wide balance in conservation storage through the maintenance of water levels in the same action zone for each of the project reservoirs; (3) enter into an arrangement for the National Academy of Sciences to carry out an independent peer review of each revised manual; and (4) obtain written approval from the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, and the U.S. Geological Survey of each manual developed before a final manual may be issued.

Reactie op het rapport: "Chemische stoffen: combinatie-effecten op het milieu"

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 15 February 2017

Reactie op het rapport: "Chemische stoffen: combinatie-effecten op het milieu"

87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the ongoing efforts by her Department to counteract internet bullying in respect of children and young adults outside of an educational environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7443/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 February 2017

87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the ongoing efforts by her Department to counteract internet bullying in respect of children and young adults outside of an educational environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7443/17]

Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2017

Pesticide Registration Enhancement Act of 2017 This bill amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to revise requirements for pesticide registration applications and their corresponding pesticide maintenance fees and pesticide registration service fees. The bill: (1) extends the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect the annual fees for registering pesticides; (2) increases the maximum amount of registration fees, including the fees for small businesses; (3) extends a prohibition on the EPA levying other fees for registering pesticides; and (4) revises requirements concerning the use of the Pesticide Registration Fund, including by requiring the EPA to use a portion of the fund to develop guidance for product performance data requirements for certain invertebrate pests of significant public health or economic importance (e.g., bed bugs). The EPA must determine whether to grant experimental use permits for pesticides within specified time frames. The bill adds new categories of pesticide registration applicants who are subject to the registration service fees, such as applications for inert ingredients. The EPA must also identify opportunities for streamlining the review of applications to register a new active ingredient in a pesticide or a new use of a pesticide and for providing prompt feedback to applicants during the review process.

Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration, and Promotion Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2017

Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration, and Promotion Act This bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the National Park Service, and other appropriate entities to support a program of intramural and extramural botanical science research to support the land management responsibilities of the Department of the Interior. Interior may hire additional personnel to augment its expertise in the botanical sciences. Interior's land management agencies, the Forest Service, and the Department of Defense shall give preference to using locally adapted native plant materials when undertaking land management activities on lands under their respective jurisdictions. A state shall maximize the use of such plant materials when carrying out environmental mitigation efforts and environmental restoration and pollution abatement activities authorized under the surface transportation block grant program. Sponsors of development or redevelopment projects involving certain federal facilities shall establish, maintain, or restore use of such plant materials on all natural spaces. Specified federal agencies shall collaborate regarding land use responsibility when undertaking specified activities related to native plant materials. The bill authorizes the BLM to undertake specified activities for the development and use of native plant materials. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation shall ensure that a program of activities which is focused on conservation and protection of native plants is incorporated into its existing programs and activities. The USFWS shall support a program of collaborative grants to: (1) prevent rare plants from becoming endangered, and (2) encourage the recovery of endangered plants.

Zero Waste Development and Expansion Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2017

Zero Waste Development and Expansion Act of 2017 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award grants to local governments for developing solid waste prevention, reuse, and recycling tactics and operations. Applicants must set specific waste prevention, reuse, recycling, composting, or public education goals that will bring communities closer to zero waste. Zero waste is a goal to guide people towards emulating sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. The EPA must convene an annual conference for grantees and other stakeholders to learn about moving toward a zero waste goal.

21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2017

21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, to make publicly available on the Internet the best scientific and commercial data available that are the basis for the determination of whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, including each proposed regulation for the listing of a species. The departments are prohibited from making the information publicly available when: (1) the public disclosure of the information is prohibited by state law relating to the protection of personal information, and (2) the state makes a request to a department to withhold the information.

A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish a procedure for approval of certain settlements.

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2017

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to revise provisions governing citizen suits against the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, that allege a failure of the relevant department to perform an act or duty related to an endangered species or threatened species. Interior must publish the complaint in a citizen suit within 30 days of being served. Affected parties shall be given a reasonable opportunity to intervene in the suit. If affected parties intervene, the court must refer the action to a mediation program or magistrate judge to facilitate settlement discussions. The court is prohibited from: (1) awarding litigation costs in a citizen suit that is settled by a consent decree, or (2) awarding litigation costs to a plaintiff in a citizen suit that is settled. Interior must provide notice of a proposed settlement to each state or county in which an affected species occurs. A settlement can only be approved if states or counties approve the settlement or fail to respond.

Geannoteerde agenda Milieuraad 28 februari 2017 en het voortgangsoverzicht van actuele Europese wetgevingsinitiatieven op het gebied van infrastructuur en milieu

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 14 February 2017

Geannoteerde agenda Milieuraad 28 februari 2017 en het voortgangsoverzicht van actuele Europese wetgevingsinitiatieven op het gebied van infrastructuur en milieu

Umgang mit der Havarie eines beladenen Tankschiffes auf der Donau

Austria · National Council · 13 February 2017

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Georg Willi, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie betreffend Umgang mit der Havarie eines beladenen Tankschiffes auf der Donau

Expressing support for the designation of February 14 of each year as International Flower Workers' Day, in acknowledgment of workers in flower-producing countries and to demonstrate the commitment of the United States to practices that respect labor rights in other countries.

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2017

Expresses support for: (1) the designation of International Flower Workers' Day to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to practices that respect labor rights in other countries, and (2) the elimination of exploitative labor practices as a key U.S. policy goal. Urges the governments of Colombia and other flower-producing countries to investigate and respond to the social and environmental impacts of the flower-producing industry. Notes that the Colombian Action Plan Related to Labor Rights, signed on April 7, 2011, has not adequately strengthened or improved working conditions in Colombia. Recognizes that Colombian flower workers should not suffer harm from free trade but should share in its economic benefits. Encourages the development and implementation of new measures to uphold and fulfill the strong labor commitments made under the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Security

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 9 February 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2017 to Question 62534, what the number of security passes issued by her Department to people not employed by her Department is; what business need

228. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of AEOS recipients by county that have received their total 2016 payment; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting a 2016 payment; the total number of AEOS applicants that have yet to receive payment per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6586/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 February 2017

228. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of AEOS recipients by county that have received their total 2016 payment; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting a 2016 payment; the total number of AEOS applicants that have yet to receive payment per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6586/17]

218. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing an agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, payment to a person (details supplied) which was due to them before Christmas 2016 yet they still have not received anything to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6477/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 February 2017

218. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing an agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, payment to a person (details supplied) which was due to them before Christmas 2016 yet they still have not received anything to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6477/17]

217. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an AEOS payment; the number of persons per county that are awaiting payment; the reasons for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6474/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 February 2017

217. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an AEOS payment; the number of persons per county that are awaiting payment; the reasons for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6474/17]

216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6453/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 February 2017

216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6453/17]

Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior regarding requirements for exploratory drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf.

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2017

This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management titled "Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf." The rule published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2016, limits exploration of oil and gas resources in the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf.