The Department of Environmental Quality proposed amendments to regulations governing individual and small public on-site sewage treatment systems. The amendments would, among other things, clarify the credentials required for soil profile certification, update septic tank provisions, raise the approval limit associated with the biochemical oxygen demand to 2.5 pounds per day for aerobic systems, and increase surety bond requirements for certified installers and certified soil profilers. A hearing will be held on January 9, 2024. Comments are due January 1, 2024.

The Department of Environmental Quality proposed amendments to regulations governing the management of solid waste. The amendments would clarify groundwater separation requirements for construction and demolition landfills, and add a new permitting exemption for small-scale composting facilities receiving waste from off site. A hearing will be held January 11, 2024. Comments are due January 10, 2024. See https://rules.ok.gov/registers (pp. 222-23).

The Department of Environmental Quality proposed amendments to regulations governing lab accreditation. The amendments clarify definitions, standardize language, simplify application processes, update incorporations by reference for EPA methodologies, and reset the yearly accreditation period to run from January through December. A hearing will be held January 9, 2024. Comments are due the same date. See https://rules.ok.gov/registers (pp. 218-21).

The Department of Water Resources proposed amendments to administrative rules. The amendments would update provisions concerning weather modification operations, definitions, construction permits, operation and maintenance of dams, dikes, and other devices, sovereign lands, and stream crossing design, and add new provisions concerning watercourses. A hearing will be held January 26, 2024. Comments are due February 5, 2024.

The Department of Environmental Conservation proposed to add 1,4-dioxane limits for household cleansing, personal care, and cosmetic products to implement the maximum allowable concentrations of 1,4-dioxane as set forth in arts. 35 and 37 of the Environmental Conservation Law. A hearing will be held February 6, 2024. Comments are due February 12, 2024. See https://dos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/12/120623.pdf (pp. 3-7).

The Forest Resources Division adopted administrative rules governing commercial forests. See https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/moahr/ARD/2023-Michigan-Register/MR21_120123.pdf?rev=e257275b7d1542448ddd412c0f2baacc&hash=F021D909875F75C8033D30F6B5763764 (pp. 2-7).

The Department of Natural Resources adopted new regulations concerning shellfish aquaculture and leasing. The regulations create a pilot program permit structure for future shellfish aquaculture pilot programs that enables the Department to conduct certain voluntary pilot projects with the aquaculture industry to demonstrate and evaluate alternative management methods. See 2019-dsd.maryland.gov/MDRIssues/5024/Assembled.aspx#_Toc152065973.

The Department of Natural Resources declared longnose gar as “in need of conservation” and established a creel limit for the species for both recreational anglers and commercial harvesters. See https://2019-dsd.maryland.gov/MDRIssues/5024/Assembled.aspx#_Toc152065973.

The Department of Natural Resources proposed amendments to regulations governing the Illinois Oil and Gas Act. The amendments would improve the processing of drilling unit permit applications, establish a deadline for applications involving drilling in areas of mining activity, and allow communication with permittees through electronic mail. See https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/index/register/volume47/register_volume47_48.pdf (pp. 17786-802).

The Department of Natural Resources proposed amendments to regulations governing the Conservation Stewardship Program. The amendments would provide detailed information regarding the Conservation Stewardship Program and the requirements that must be upheld to qualify, apply, and maintain enrollment. See https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/index/register/volume47/register_volume47_48.pdf (pp. 17778-85).