Environment

Report from the Commission to the Council - Analysis of the 'open list' of environment-related headline indicators

European Union · European Commission · 20 September 2002

Kormoranproblematik in Österreich

Austria · National Council · 19 September 2002

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Dr. Udo Grollitsch, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Kormoranproblematik in Österreich

Menschenrechtskoordinator/in im Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft

Austria · National Council · 19 September 2002

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Terezija Stoisits, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Menschenrechtskoordinator/in im Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft

Hochwasseropferentschädigungs- und Wiederaufbau-Gesetz 2002 - HWG 2002

Austria · National Council · 19 September 2002

Gesundheitsgefährdung durch Partikel aus Dieseltreibstoff

Austria · National Council · 19 September 2002

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Kurt Grünewald, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie betreffend Gesundheitsgefährdung durch Partikel aus Dieseltreibstoff

Zustimmung zu einem bundeseinheitlichen Tierschutzrecht

Austria · National Council · 19 September 2002

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Dr. Udo Grollitsch, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundeskanzler betreffend Zustimmung zu einem bundeseinheitlichen Tierschutzrecht

Hochwasseropferentschädigungs- und Wiederaufbau-Gesetz 2002 - HWG 2002

Austria · National Council · 19 September 2002

Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002

Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends Public Health Service Act provisions concerning the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to add disabilities and health to categories of data with regard to which the Secretary of Heath and Human Services is directed to collect, analyze, and make available. Requires the Secretary to conduct research on and promote the prevention of birth defects and disabilities and to support a National Spina Bifida Program to prevent and reduce suffering from the nation's most common permanently disabling birth defect. Removes certain provisions regarding data collection, including one requiring the Secretary to collect and analyze data by gender and ethnic and racial group. Modifies reporting requirements. Declares that certain data and information collected under the Act shall be subject to a specified provision of the General Education Provisions Act pertaining to privacy. Requires that the members of the advisory committee appointed by the Director of the National Center for Environmental Health that have expertise in birth defects, developmental disabilities, and disabilities and health shall be transferred to the National Center on Birth Defects on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Fisheries Research Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002

Fisheries Research Improvement Act - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require the National Academy of Sciences to review and recommend measures for improving National Marine Fisheries Service procedures for ensuring data quality in the data collection phase of the stock assessment program. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish a national cooperative research and management program to be administered by the National Marine Fisheries Service, based upon recommendations by the Regional Fishery Management Councils. Requires the Secretary to create guidelines so that participants in this program are not penalized for loss of catch history or unexpended days-at-sea as part of a limited entry system. Authorizes specified funds for cooperative comparative trawl research between the National Marine Fisheries Service and fishing industry participants for the Northeast multispecies groundfish fishery. Authorizes a Council or the Secretary to extend beyond ten years the time period for the rebuilding of an overfished fishery to accommodate a new rebuilding target if the target is changed during the rebuilding period. Repeals the current exception to the ten year rebuilding deadline in cases where the biology of the stock of fish, other environmental conditions, or management measures under an international agreement in which the United States participates dictate a longer rebuilding period.

Cleveland National Forest Responsible Electricity Transmission Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002

Cleveland National Forest Responsible Electricity Transmission Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture (the "Secretaries") to issue the necessary grants, easements, permits, plan amendments, and other approvals to allow for the siting and construction of a high-voltage electricity transmission line in part of the Cleveland National Forest in California and adjacent lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. Forbids any portion of the transmission line from entering any identified wilderness area. Assigns primary responsibility for completing the environmental and other reviews necessary for the implementation of this Act to the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land Management. States that it is anticipated that this Act will make it unnecessary to construct regional transmission lines through heavily populated lands in the Temecula Valley. Subjects the right-of-way to such terms and conditions as the Secretaries set forth to protect historic, cultural, and natural resources under their respective jurisdictions.

Hochwasseropferentschädigungs- und Wiederaufbau-Gesetz 2002 - HWG 2002; Katastrophenfondsgesetz 1996, Bundesfinanzgesetz 2002 u.a., Änderung

Austria · National Council · 18 September 2002

Bericht des Finanzausschusses über die Regierungsvorlage (1277 d.B.): Bundesgesetz, mit dem ein Hochwasseropferentschädigungs- und Wiederaufbau-Gesetz 2002 - HWG 2002 erlassen wird und das Katastrophenfondsgesetz 1996, das Bundesfinanzgesetz 2002, das Umweltförderungsgesetz, das Altlastensanierungsgesetz, das Allgemeine Sozialversicherungsgesetz, das Einkommensteuergesetz 1988, das Körperschaftsteuergesetz 1988 und die Bundesabgabenordnung geändert werden

Corps of Engineers Reform Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002

Corps of Engineers Reform Act of 2002 - Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 with respect to inland waterway projects undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers to: (1) revise the percentage of project costs to be paid out of general Treasury funds and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund; (2) make the Federal share of most project operation and maintenance costs 100 percent; and (3) specify sources of the Federal share of costs for projects based on the operation and maintenance costs per ton mile. Requires the Secretary of the Army to ensure that each draft feasibility and general reevaluation report and environmental impact statement concerning a navigation project in excess of $30 million for which a review panel of independent experts has been requested is subject to such independent review. Requires the Secretary to appoint a Director of Independent Review who shall appoint independent review panels as appropriate. Prohibits project review costs from exceeding $250,000. Sets forth requirements for project fish and wildlife mitigation concurrently with project construction and as part of project plans and proposals. Prohibits the Secretary from recommending or selecting a project alternative unless its mitigation plan has a high probability of mitigating adverse impacts on aquatic and other resources, hydrologic functions, and fish and wildlife. Requires the Secretary to establish a mitigation tracking system for each project constructed, operated, or maintained by the Secretary and for each permit issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Expresses the intent of Congress that economic development and environmental protection and restoration to be coequal goals of water resources planning and development.

Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002

Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act - Requires the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop and conduct a marine and fresh-water research program to support efforts to detect, prevent, and eradicate invasive species in the Aquatic Ecosystem. Requires the program to: (1) develop standardized protocols for conducting ecological and pathway surveys of nonnative aquatic species; (2) create baseline ecological information of the aquatic ecosystem and pathways; (3) designate the number and location of survey sites required; (4) conduct laboratory and field-based marine and fresh-water research experiments on a range of taxonomic groups to identify the relationship between the introduction and establishment of nonnative aquatic species; and (5) analyze the data collected. Directs the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to convene a workshop with appropriate researchers. Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to: (1) require that ecological and ballast water discharge surveys examine other potential modes of introducing nonnative aquatic species by ship into the Aquatic Ecosystem, including hull fouling; (2) rename the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse as the National Pathway and Ecological Surveys Database; (3) expand the purview of the database to include ballast water management, delivery practices of ships entering United States ports and their compliance with existing regulations; and (3) make the database widely available to the public. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establish marine and fresh-water research, development, and demonstration programs with respect to environmental soundness screening and dispersal barrier research. Reauthorizes the ship pathway technology demonstration program. Requires the Coast Guard and the EPA to develop a research program to support implementation of standards to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by ships into the Aquatic Ecosystem. Requires the National Science Foundation to establish a grant program for institutions of higher education to carry our research programs in systematics and taxonomy.

National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002

National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2002 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to require the Invasive Species Council (Council) to coordinate with the Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force (Task Force) to combat aquatic invasive species. Requires the Task Force to recommend to appropriate Federal agencies additions to the list of aquatic invasive species. Requires the Task Force, the Council, and the Secretary of State to coordinate activities to ensure that international efforts to prevent and manage aquatic invasive species are coordinated with U.S. policies. Establishes minimum invasive species prevention requirements for all vessels entering U.S. ports. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promulgate regulations for ballast water management standards and certification procedures. Directs the Task Force to publish a priority pathway management program. Prohibits the importation of live aquatic organisms not in trade without specified screening and approval. Requires the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, with the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to construct and maintain a national dispersal barrier program to contain and control aquatic nuisances. Declares that a State with a rapid response contingency strategy shall be eligible to receive emergency funding to implement rapid response measures for aquatic invasive species under specified circumstances. Requires the Task Force, with concurrence of the Council, to encourage the development of regional rapid response contingency strategies and develop a State model for such. Requires the Council, in coordination with the Task Force and the heads of the appropriate Federal agencies, to establish a Federal rapid response team for the ten regions of the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System. Requires the Task Force to establish a national subcommittee on nutria. Provides for expansion of the Brown Tree Snake Control Program and Aquatic Nuisance Species Program information, education and outreach activities.

To authorize the President of the United States to agree to certain amendments to the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States concerning the establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002

Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to authorize the President to agree to amendments to the Border Environment Cooperation Agreement (the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank) that: (1) enable the North American Development Bank to make grants and non-market rate loans out of its paid-in capital resources with the approval of its Board of Directors for qualified water conservation projects; and (2) amend the definition of "border region" as it relates to such projects to include specified areas in the United States and Mexico that are within a certain distance of the international boundary between the two countries. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) water conservation projects are eligible for funding from the Bank under the Cooperation Agreement; and (2) the Board of Directors of the Bank should support qualified water conservation projects which can assist Texas irrigators and agricultural producers in the lower Rio Grande River Valley.

To authorize the Secretary of the Army to carry out a program for ecosystem restoration in Appalachia and the Northeast Region.

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002

Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out in the Appalachian region, New England, and the mid-Atlantic States from New York to Virginia ecosystem restoration and protection projects that the Secretary determines will improve the quality of the environment, are in the public interest, and are cost-effective. Sets forth cost sharing requirements and cost limitations.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend Superfund, oil spill liability, and leaking underground storage tank taxes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2002

Amends the Internal Revenue Code by: (1) reinstating the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate until October 1, 2012; (2) reinstating the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate until October 1, 2012 and by prohibiting imposition of such rate if the unobligated balance in such Fund exceeds $5 (previously, $1) billion; (3) extending the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate until October 1, 2012; and (4) reinstating the Corporate Environmental Income Tax until January 1, 2012.

A bill to authorize the President to agree to certain amendments to the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2002

Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to authorize the President to instruct the U.S. representative to the North American Development Bank to vote for or otherwise agree to amendments to the Border Environment Cooperation Agreement (the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank) that would: (1) authorize the Bank, with the approval of its Board of Directors, to make grants and non-market rate loans out of its paid-in capital for qualified water conservation projects, provided the grants are structured only as co-financing to pay a portion of the recipient's debt service on debt financing for such projects; and (2) amend the definition of "border region" as it relates to such projects to include specified areas in the United States and Mexico that are within a certain distance of the international boundary between the two countries.

Judgment of the Court of 17 September 2002.#Concordia Bus Finland Oy Ab, formerly Stagecoach Finland Oy Ab v Helsingin kaupunki and HKL-Bussiliikenne.#Reference for a preliminary ruling: Korkein hallinto-oikeus - Finland.#Public service contracts in the transport sector - Directives 92/50/EEC and 93/38/EEC - Contracting municipality which organises bus transport services and an economically independent entity of which participates in the tender procedure as a tenderer - Taking into account of criteria relating to theprotection of the environment to determine the economically most advantageous tender - Whether permissible when the municipal entity which is tendering meets those criteria more easily.#Case C-513/99.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 17 September 2002

Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2002

Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make grants to political subdivisions of States ("localities") for the operation of mosquito control programs to prevent and control mosquito-borne diseases. Requires each locality receiving a grant for a control program to make available matching funds in an amount not less than 1/3 of the cost of the program, unless the Secretary waives the requirement due to extraordinary economic conditions in the locality. Permits the Secretary, acting through the Director, to make grants to localities for conducting assessments and plans for control programs, and to make grants to States for the purpose of coordinating control programs. Allows the Secretary to provide training and technical assistance to localities with respect to the planning, development, and operation of control programs and assessments and plans, either directly or through award of grants or contracts to public and private entities. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to conduct or support research into methods to control the population of insects that transmit dangerous diseases to humans. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Food and Drug Administration should comprehensively review its protocols and regulations for screening of blood and platelet donors and their donated specimens and report on the ability of the protocols to protect the blood supply from West Nile virus. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to: (1) revise protocols and regulations to protect the blood supply and blood supply products from the West Nile virus to the maximum extent possible; and (2) expedite review of appropriate blood screening tests for the West Nile virus.

Daniel Patrick Moynihan Lake Champlain Basin Program Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2002

Daniel Patrick Moynihan Lake Champlain Basin Program Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish the Lake Champlain Basin Program in place of the Lake Champlain Management Conference. Requires the program to protect the Lake Champlain basin and implement the plan entitled "Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin," approved by the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. Sets forth the environmental goals of the plan, including: (1) reducing phosphorous inputs and toxic contamination; (2) controlling nonnative nuisance species; (3) protecting sources of drinking water; (4) restoring wildlife and habitat; (5) shoreline protection; and (6) protecting and promoting recreational and economic activity. Directs the Committee to implement the program and review the plan at least every five years. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to implement plan management strategies. Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, and Commerce to support the implementation of the program with assistance from existing Federal programs concerning: (1) agricultural nonpoint source pollution; (2) watersheds; (3) habitat protection and restoration; (4) management of fisheries and marine resources, including nuisance aquatic species; and (5) cultural and natural resources. States that existing authorities remain unaffected by this program. Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to include Hamilton County in the Lake Champlain watershed.

To enhance the authorities of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to reduce catastrophic wildfire threats to communities and the environment.

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2002

Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to conduct projects consistent with the Implementation Plan for the 10-year Comprehensive Strategy for a Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment, May 2002, developed to reduce hazardous fuels within any areas of Federal land under the jurisdiction of either Secretary that: (1) are outside of Congressionally designated Wilderness Areas; and (2) the appropriate Secretary determines qualify as a fire risk condition class three area. Permits the Secretaries to enter into stewardship contracts with private persons or other public or private entities to perform services to achieve land management goals for the national forests and other Federal lands. Allows the Secretaries to collect monies from a contract so long as collection is secondary to the land management goals the contract is supposed to accomplish. Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 to repeal the Appeals Reform Act (regarding Forest Service decisionmaking and appeals reform). Provides that in any action under any law for writs of prohibitory or mandatory injunction against agency action in which the agency has found that such action is necessary to restore fire-adapted forest or rangeland ecosystems, the reviewing court shall: (1) consider the public interest in avoiding long-term harm to such ecosystems; and (2) give deference to any agency finding, based upon information in its administrative record, that the public interest in avoiding the short-term effects of such action is outweighed by the public interest in avoiding long-term harm to such ecosystems.

Bericht des Ausschusses für Bildung, Forschung und Technikfolgenabschätzung (17. Ausschuss) gemäß § 56a der Geschäftsordnung zur Technikfolgenabschätzung hier: TA-Projekt: Tourismus in Großschutzgebieten - Wechselwirkungen und Kooperationsmöglichkeiten zwischen Naturschutz und regionalem Tourismus - (G-SIG: 15000182)

Germany · German Bundestag · 12 September 2002

Bericht zu dem durch das Büro für Technikfolgenabschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag durchgeführten Projekt: Großschutzgebiete (Nationalparks, Naturparks, Biosphärenreservate), Tourismus in Großschutzgebieten, Angebot und Nachfrage, Nutzungskonflikte, Naturschutz, nachhaltiger Tourismus, Beiträge zur Regionalentwicklung, Handlungs- und Forschungsbedarf

A bill to expedite procedures for hazardous fuels reductions activities and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2002

Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to: (1) expeditiously complete hazardous fuels reduction projects consistent with the Implementation Plan for the 10-year Comprehensive Strategy for a Collective Approach to Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment; (2) develop a project selection process with interested parties; and (3) establish a commission and monitoring process to evaluate project impact and effectiveness. Gives implementation priority to: (1) wildland urban interface areas; (2) municipal watersheds; or (3) forested or rangeland areas affected by disease, insects, or wind throw. Authorizes the Secretaries to temporarily exclude from environmental documentation requirements certain projects in areas (condition class 3) identified in a specified Forest Service map and report. Requires that all specified hazardous fuels operations funds be used in such areas. Sets aside specified funds for small, economically disadvantaged communities.

Opinion of Mr Advocate General Alber delivered on 10 September 2002. # Kingdom of Spain v Commission of the European Communities. # State aid - Effect on competition and trade between Member States - Sectoral guidelines and guidelines on aid for environmental protection. # Case C-409/00.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 10 September 2002

Black Hills Charter Forest Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2002

Black Hills Charter Forest Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to conduct a ten-year demonstration project in the Black Hills National Forest (the "Forest") for the purposes of increasing community involvement in Forest management decisions and evaluating various methods of improving the management and condition of the Forest. Directs the Secretary to establish an independent panel of non-Federal scientists which shall: (1) conduct an assessment of the ecological, social, and economic sustainability of the Forest and submit the results to Congress; and (2) prepare a monitoring plan for the demonstration project. Requires the Secretary to establish a community management council to advise on environmental, economic, and social issues pertaining to the Forest and on the development of binding priorities for management activities on the Forest. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules which, while not affecting any environmental analysis otherwise required, shall establish a predecisional review process for site specific projects during the demonstration project. Delineates procedures for the review of decisions, as well as circumstances in which exemptions from the review rules are permitted.

Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on public access to environmental information amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty

European Union · European Commission · 5 September 2002

Healthy Forests and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002

Healthy Forests Reform Act of 2002 - Directs the Council on Environmental Quality to: (1) treat the threat of catastrophic wildfire on Federal lands as an emergency circumstance; and (2) establish an expedited environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for fire reduction and forest health measures on certain Federal lands. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior (Secretaries) to jointly establish an independent panel to assess agency actions concerning wildfire reduction, forest health and biodiversity promotion, and watershed protection. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a predecisional review process for the Forest Service. Repeals, 90 days after enactment of this Act, Forest Service decisionmaking and appeal provisions under the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993. Directs that emergency response activities proceed immediately due to extraordinary circumstances affecting Federal lands, including actions to reduce bark beetle infestation and attendant catastrophic wildfire threat in the Routt National Forest, Colorado. Exempts all such activities from judicial review and certain notice, comment, and appeal requirements. Authorizes the Secretaries to enter into stewardship contracts for land management activities on Federal lands. Authorizes appropriations for fuel reduction activities.

To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act with respect to public health pesticides.

United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002

Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to expand the definition of public health pesticides, allowing the exemption (based upon economic return) from fees imposed under reregistration provisions for other pesticide active ingredients for only those that are "minor use" pesticides. Allows a portion of maintenance fees to be used for expedited processing and review of applications that propose the registration of an end use pesticide that is a public health pesticide only if it is a minor use pesticide.

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Nevada, to the Secretary of the Interior, in trust for the Washoe Indian Tribe of Nevada and California.

United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Nevada, to the Secretary of the Interior, in trust for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Reserves for the United States a nonexclusive easement for public and administrative access to National Forest System land. Requires the Secretary to provide a reciprocal easement to the Tribe for vehicular access to such land to accommodate: (1) individuals with disabilities or who would otherwise have access difficulties; and (2) administrative or safety needs. Requires the Tribe to: (1) limit the use of the conveyed land to traditional and customary uses and stewardship conservation; (2) not permit any permanent or recreational development on, or commercial use of, such land (including commercial development, tourist accommodations, gaming, sale of timber, or mineral extraction); and (3) comply with environmental requirements that are no less protective than those that apply under the Regional Plan of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Environment: soil protection, thematic strategy

European Union · European Parliament · 2 September 2002

Environment: anti-fouling paints on ships, prohibition of organotin compounds

European Union · European Parliament · 2 September 2002

projet de loi autorisant l'approbation de la convention sur certains produits chimiques et pesticides dangereux qui font l'objet d'un commerce international

France · Senate · 29 August 2002

projet de loi autorisant l'approbation de la convention sur les polluants organiques persistants

France · Senate · 29 August 2002

Anordnung zur Übertragung von Zuständigkeiten für die Bearbeitung, für den Erlass von Widerspruchsbescheiden und die Vertretung des Dienstherrn bei Klagen aus dem Beamtenverhältnis im Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit in Angelegenheiten nach dem Bundesumzugskostengesetz und den hierzu ergangenen Verordnungen

Germany · Federal statute portal · 21 August 2002

Abkürzung: BMinUWidAnO 2002 · Status: InForce · eli/bund/bgbl-1/2002/s3515

Naturnaher Schutz vor Hochwasser

Austria · National Council · 19 August 2002

Antrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Eva Glawischnig, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend naturnaher Schutz vor Hochwasser

Wild- und Wildfleischuntersuchung

Austria · National Council · 19 August 2002

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Johann Maier, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für soziale Sicherheit und Generationen betreffend Wild- und Wildfleischuntersuchung

Naturnaher Schutz vor Hochwasser

Austria · National Council · 19 August 2002

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Eva Glawischnig, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Renaturierung der österreichischen Flüsse als natürlichen Hochwasserschutz

Hochwasseropferentschädigungs- und Wiederaufbau-Gesetz 2002 - HWG 2002; Katastrophenfondsgesetz, Bundesfinanzgesetz u.a., Änderung

Austria · National Council · 19 August 2002

Bundesgesetz, mit dem ein Hochwasseropferentschädigungs- und Wiederaufbau-Gesetz 2002 - HWG 2002 erlassen wird und das Katastrophenfondsgesetz 1996, das Bundesfinanzgesetz 2002, das Umweltförderungsgesetz, das Altlastensanierungsgesetz, das Allgemeine Sozialversicherungsgesetz, das Einkommensteuergesetz 1988, das Körperschaftsteuergesetz 1988 und die Bundesabgabenordnung geändert werden

Sondergutachten des Rates von Sachverständigen für Umweltfragen Für eine Stärkung und Neuorientierung des Naturschutzes (G-SIG: 15000369)

Germany · German Bundestag · 5 August 2002

Erfolge und ungelöste Kernprobleme des Naturschutzes, Begründungen und Ziele, Akzeptanzdefizite und -verbesserungsmöglichkeiten, strukturelle Schwächen der Durchsetzbarkeit, Instrumente der Umsetzung der Ziele, planungs- und ordnungsrechtliche Instrumente, nationale Naturschutzstrategie

Water Quality Investment Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2002

Water Quality Investment Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) to increase the limit on amounts authorized for grants for development of waste management plans and sewage treatment works to serve Indians. Revises State water pollution control revolving fund provisions concerning: (1) project eligibility; (2) loan payments and subsidization; (3) community development conditions; (4) priorities; (5) strategies for technical, managerial, operations, maintenance, and capital investments and sustaining compliance with applicable laws; (6) project restructuring conditions; (7) technical assistance for small treatment works; (8) competitive bidding; (9) funding; and (10) intended use plans and progress reports. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to revise State revolving loan fund provisions concerning: (1) project restructuring conditions; (2) intended use plans; (3) uses of assistance; (4) community development conditions; (5) additional authorized activities; (6) loan subsidization for disadvantaged users; (7) capital improvement needs surveys; (8) competitive bidding; and (9) funding. Includes technology assessment among the responsibilities of small public water system technology assistance centers and imposes review requirements. Extends funding for university-based environmental finance centers. Amends FWPCA and SDWA to allow a Governor to reserve and transfer a specified percentage of capitalization grants made under each Act between the water pollution control and drinking water treatment revolving funds. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a demonstration program to promote technological innovations and alternative approaches to water quality management or water supply and to reduce municipalities' FWPCA and SDWA compliance costs. Directs the National Academy of Sciences to study public water system and treatment works rate structures of selected communities. Directs the Administrator to identify ways to streamline and improve the application and review process for the provision of assistance from State water pollution and drinking water revolving funds. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, to: (1) assess the state of the Nation's water resources; and (2) coordinate a process to develop and publish a list of water resource research priorities focusing on monitoring and improving the quality of information available to water resource managers and a process to develop an effective system to communicate water resource information.

Clear Skies Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2002

Clear Skies Act of 2002 - Amends the acid deposition control provisions of the Clean Air Act with respect to emissions limitations and allowances programs for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury by: (1) revising the allowance system and associated transfer, tracking, permit, compliance plan, and penalty requirements, including those for auctions; and (2) establishing new emissions limitations and trading programs (including implementation of a separate sulfur dioxide scheme for States in the Western Regional Air Partnership). Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate performance standards (limiting emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and mercury) for new boilers, integrated gasification combined cycle plants, and combustion turbines; and (2) conduct a comprehensive research and environmental assessment program to enhance understanding of health and environmental effects of particulate matter and mercury and to demonstrate the efficacy of emission reductions under this Act. Excludes the following units from consideration as major emitting facilities or major stationary sources (or parts thereof) for purposes of compliance with provisions concerning prevention of significant deterioration of air quality and plan requirements for nonattainment areas: (1) those that are subject to the performance standards of this Act; or (2) those with properly operated and maintained equipment to limit particulate matter emissions or subject to a permit under an applicable implementation plan that provides a specified particulate matter emissions limitation and that use good combustion practices to minimize carbon monoxide emissions. Requires States to ensure in implementation plans that: (1) in an attainment or unclassifiable area, any emissions increase from the construction or modification of an affected unit will not result in exceeding a national ambient air quality standard; and (2) in a nonattainment area, the emissions increase will not interfere with a program to assure the achievement of such a standard. Provides for designation of transitional areas under implementation plans and states requirements for emissions inventories, the attainment of standards by the end of 2015, and penalties for not meeting the eight-hour ozone or fine particles standard.

Emergency Forests Rescue Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Emergency Forest Rescue Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) designate Federal forest land that is at wildfire risk because of severe drought and dead and dying trees as an emergency mitigation area; and (2) request authority from the Council on Environmental Quality to use alternative arrangements (including timber harvesting) to protect trees in such an area from disease, insect infestation, invasive plant species, or other natural disaster.

Federally Declared Disaster Area Exemption Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Federally Declared Disaster Exemption Act of 2002 - Allows land management activities by specified Federal agencies undertaken in places the President has declared as major disaster areas under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to proceed without regard to certain provisions of law, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Forest Management Act. Exempts such activities from the notice, comment, and appeal requirements of the Appeals Reform Act and from judicial review by any U.S. court. Applies this Act to the two-year period beginning on the date of the Presidential declaration regarding a major disaster area.

Yavapai Ranch Land Exchange Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Yavapai Ranch Land Exchange Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in the Prescott, Coconino, and Kaibab National Forests, Arizona, to the Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership or the Northern Yavapai, L.L.C. (both referred to respectively as the "YLRP"), in exchange for land within the boundaries of the Prescott National Forest, Arizona. Requires the YLRP to reserve perpetual and unrestricted easements and water rights for seven existing wells and related equipment on the land it is transferring to Federal control. Grants to the YLRP perpetual, unrestricted, and nonexclusive easements that run with and benefit land transferred to the YLRP. Prescribes that if any part of either territory being transferred is unacceptable to the entity receiving it due to the presence of hazardous materials or any other reason, such section shall be deleted from the exchange and an adjustment shall be made. Requires the values of the land exchanged to be equal. Establishes that if the land destined for the YLRP is not already segregated pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, this Act shall segregate it from all forms of entry and appropriation under the public land laws until the exchange. Directs the Secretary to perform any necessary land surveys, preexchange inventories, clearances, reviews, and approvals relating to threatened and endangered species, other environmental considerations, and hazardous materials. Prescribes that the land acquired by the United States shall become part of the Prescott National Forest, and shall be managed to maintain its present character and natural values.

Energy and Science Research Investment Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Energy and Science Research Investment Act of 2002 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct a comprehensive program of fundamental research, including chemical sciences, physics, materials sciences, biological and environmental sciences, geosciences, engineering sciences, plasma sciences, mathematics, and advanced scientific computing; (2) expand scientific user facilities maintained by the Office of Science and make them an integral part of the departmental mission for exploring the frontiers of fundamental science; (3) maintain a leading-edge research capability in the energy-related aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology, advanced scientific computing, and genome research; and (4) ensure that its fundamental science programs help inform Department of Defense DOE applied research and development programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2006. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to create the position of Under Secretary for Energy Research and Science to: (1) serve as Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of Energy; (2) monitor (DOE) research and development programs; and (3) exercise authority over Assistant Secretaries implementing certain energy research, development, and energy technology functions. Replaces the position of Director of the Office of Science with the position of Assistant Secretary of Science, who shall carry out DOE fundamental science and engineering research functions, including policy and management. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that leadership for departmental missions in nuclear energy should be at the Assistant Secretary level. Establishes in the Office of Science a Science Advisory Board to serve as the science advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Science.

Chemical Security Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Chemical Security Act of 2002 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations to: (1) designate certain combinations of chemical sources and substances of concern as high priority categories based on the severity of the threat posed by an unauthorized release of such substance; and (2) require each owner and operator of a high priority category chemical source to conduct an assessment of the vulnerability of the chemical source to a terrorist attack or other unauthorized release, identify hazards that may result, and prepare a prevention, preparedness, and response plan. Requires each such owner and operator to take specified actions regarding certification of vulnerability and hazard assessments, and development of prevention, preparedness, and response plans. Exempts information provided to the Administrator from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Directs the Administrator to review each assessment and plan submitted to determine compliance. Requires the head of the Office of Homeland Security to take specified steps, upon determining that a threat of a terrorist attack exists that is beyond the scope of a submitted plan, to abate the threat. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) record-keeping and entry (by the Administrator or an authorized representative); and (2) civil, criminal, and administrative penalties.

To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out certain authorities under an agreement with Canada respecting the importation of municipal solid waste, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit any person from importing, transporting, or exporting municipal solid waste (MSW), for final disposal or incineration, in violation of the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada Concerning the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to perform the functions of the Designated Authority of the United States with respect to the importation and exportation of MSW under the Agreement and to implement and enforce the Agreement. Sets forth factors for consideration in the Administrator's determinations of whether to consent to importation. Provides procedures for issuance of compliance orders, assessment of civil penalties, and conduct of public hearings.

Great Lakes Mercury Reduction Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Great Lakes Mercury Reduction Act - Prohibits issuance or approval under the Clean Air Act of any permit for a new source that is located in any State bordering any of the Great Lakes and whose emissions would result in the deposition of mercury into the Great Lakes System.

High Productivity and Economic Growth Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Introduced High Productivity Investment Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the expensing of the cost of high productivity property (defined as certain computer and computer related property, electronic equipment, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, optical fiber equipment, advanced environmental or life science products, and etc.). Directs that an election to treat property in such a fashion shall be made on an asset by asset basis, and that the cost of such property shall not include so much of the basis as is determined by reference to the basis of other property held at any time by the taxpayer. Provides for a recapture if the property is not used predominately in a trade or business at any time. Excludes certain property from qualifying for high productivity expensing. Makes permanent the 30 percent expensing for certain property acquired after September 10, 2001. Prescribes that the depreciation rules shall not be modified for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.