Publications

CSX Refuses to Disclose Hazardous Waste Re-Routing

Rail companies that operate in and around Washington, DC, refuse to reveal whether or not hazardous chemicals are being re-routed around the city. Rail companies may be voluntarily re-routing trains, but the public will not be informed.

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Court Dismisses First Data Quality Act Case

In the first Data Quality Act case to be handled by the courts, a U.S. District Court has ruled that challenges under the DQA and its subsequent guidelines to agencies are not judicially reviewable. A previous court decision addressed the issue of reviewability, but the legal claim in that case was not limited to data quality.

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EPA Releases Early TRI Data, Usability Limited

On Nov. 23, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began early access to the 2003 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), but in a limited manner. This early release is seven months faster than last year's release. While this earlier access represents a step in the right direction, the data format significantly limits its use. Additionally, EPA will not make the underlying data available to the public at this time.

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White House Rejects Overtime Rules Amendments

In both versions of the FY 2005 Labor-HHS spending bill, the House and Senate approved amendments intended to block the White House from implementing new and harmful overtime rules. Those amendments, sponsored by Rep. David Obey (D-WI) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), would have reinstated old overtime eligibility rules for some workers, and were seen as a major victory for labor.

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Congress Raises Debt Limit, Fails To Pass Intelligence Bill

While members of Congress were unable to complete work on the omnibus spending bill or the intelligence bill during the lame-duck session, they did manage to complete their work on the debt limit.

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Congress Delays Spending Bill, Tackles Tax Return Provision

Although it was widely believed Congress would pass and the President would sign the $388 billion omnibus spending bill before Thanksgiving, it appears now the must-pass legislation will remain on hold until Dec. 6 when Congress will reconvene for a second lame-duck session to work on its passage. The bill, H.R. 4818, includes the nine remaining appropriations bills Congress left unfinished when the fiscal year ended, as well as numerous other riders and provisions.

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Watcher

Nov 16, 2004 by Guest Blogger

Be sure to check out the latest issue of The Watcher. Reg policy articles in this edition:
  • NPS Fails to Address Species Impacts of Snowmobile Trails
  • Americans Vote to Protect Environment in Ballot Initiatives

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Watcher: November 16th, 2004

Nov 16, 2004 by Guest Blogger

Federal Budget

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NPS Fails to Address Species Impacts of Snowmobile Trails

In the aftermath of two court rulings rejecting rulemakings on winter use plans for Yellowstone, the National Park Service is once again being challenged in court for failing to consider the effects on bison populations of winter use plans that accommodate snowmobile use.

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Americans Vote to Protect Environment in Ballot Initiatives

Voters approved ballot measures on Nov. 2 that will strengthen environmental protections in several states. Although the Bush administration's return to power does not bode well for the future of environmental protections, the success of these state ballot initiatives indicates that citizens remain committed to protecting the environment. While only a few states voted down ballot initiatives to strengthen environmental protections, several states passed major environmental measures that will, among other things, clean up hazardous waste, limit mining with cyanide, and protect public lands.

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