WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc. (LDF) and the NAACP have submitted a comprehensive response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Request for Information, calling for significant programmatic and organizational improvements to combat long-standing racial discrimination in federal disaster recovery programs. The organizations emphasize the urgent need for FEMA to center community engagement and environmental justice in its disaster response ef more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Biodegradable Products Industry (BPI), New York, is calling on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to initiate immediate public rulemaking to clarify regulations for organic compost. BPI warns that continued inaction could severely impact organic farmers and food companies, especially with new California laws taking effect in 2026. In a letter to the NOSB, BPI expressed frustration over the nearly 20 months of inact more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Charlotte County, Florida, has submitted comprehensive feedback to the FEMA Review Council, offering a candid assessment of its experiences with the Federal Emergency Management Agency following multiple federally declared disasters. The county's input, drawn from the firsthand involvement of staff across emergency management, fiscal oversight, human services, and recovery coordination, highlights both commendable aspects of FEMA's operations and significant systemic ineffi more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ohio, has voiced its strong opposition to a proposed rule by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that would rescind the long-standing definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act. The zoo, an institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), argues that the change would severely undermine conservation efforts by removing habitat destruction from the definition of harm. In comments submitted to the USFWS, more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Clarksville Gas and Water, Tennessee, has voiced strong concerns about the protracted processing times for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The utility, serving over 200,000 residents, applied for HMGP funds in June 2023 to replace a critical 25-year-old generator at its water treatment plant, essential for maintaining drinking water supply during emergencies. Initially, CGW was quoted a 12-month processing time. However, in early  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Collier County (Florida) Emergency Management Director Dan E. Summers has submitted a detailed series of recommendations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council, urging significant reforms to streamline disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The comments come as part of a nationwide evaluation of FEMA's structure and operations, initiated by President Trump's January 2025 Executive Order. Summers, a seasoned emergency management profession more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Colorado Department of Natural Resources (CODNR) is strongly urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to withdraw a proposed rule that would rescind the long-standing definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). CODNR argues that maintaining the current, broad definition is crucial for species recovery and that the proposed change is legally flawed. CODNR, deeply invested in species conservation, e more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities, Ohio, has expressed significant concerns regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's draft PFAS Human Health Ambient Water Quality Criteria. In comments submitted to the EPA, CDPU argues that public water utilities cannot bear the burden of removing ubiquitous PFAS contamination without stricter regulations on manufacturers and clearer guidance from the federal agency. CDPU, which treats an average of 180 million gal more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Senior Republican members of Congress are pressing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to set aside and vacate two controversial consent orders related to the acquisitions of Pioneer Natural Resources by Exxon Mobil and Hess by Chevron. In a letter addressed to FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson and Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Mark Meador, the lawmakers express "serious concerns" about the orders, labeling them as an "overreach of the FTC's antitrust enforcement authority."  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Defenders of Wildlife has called for significant revisions to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed rule on grizzly bear management, emphasizing the need for expanded habitat protections and clearer regulations to ensure the species' recovery. In a detailed comment submitted to the Service, the organization supports maintaining the grizzly bear's threatened status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) but urges adjustments to the proposed Distinct Population Segmen more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The District of Columbia's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency has submitted public comments to the FEMA Review Council, highlighting both positive experiences and areas for improvement in federal disaster response. The comments, dated May 15, 2025, emphasize the critical role FEMA funding plays in restoring essential infrastructure after disasters. HSEMA specifically lauded the effectiveness of FEMA's embedded Federal Integration Team (FIT), which has been i more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Emergency Management Task Force has submitted extensive recommendations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), urging comprehensive reforms to ensure equitable and inclusive disaster response for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. While acknowledging FEMA's indispensable role, the coalition highlights persistent systemic barriers that disproportionately impact vulnerable p more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- A coalition of national disability organizations is urging the Social Security Administration (SSA) to clarify and reconsider its new Security Authentication PIN (SAP) policy, warning that it could impose significant burdens on older adults, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable claimants. The Social Security Task Force (SSTF) of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) submitted comments expressing "serious concerns" about the proposal's impact on p more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), the state's Protection and Advocacy agency, has submitted a comprehensive critique and set of recommendations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council, asserting that while the nation's disaster response system is "broken and in need of major, comprehensive reform," dismantling FEMA is not the solution. The organization emphasized FEMA's indispensable role in supporting states and survivors, particularly those with dis more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Disability Rights Florida (DRF), the state's designated Protection and Advocacy system, has submitted comprehensive recommendations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), advocating for significant reforms to better serve Floridians with disabilities impacted by disasters. While supporting efforts to streamline FEMA processes, DRF emphasized that dismantling the agency would harm vulnerable survivors. Florida has faced an increasing frequency and intensity of h more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Beyond Pesticides, a national environmental organization, has voiced its strong opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed registration of products containing the new active ingredient cyclobutrifluram. In a letter submitted to the EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, the group argues that the chemical's potential for environmental persistence and its classification as a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) pose unacceptable risks to public health and  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Friends of the San Juans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea, has voiced strong opposition to a proposed rule that would rescind the regulatory definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In a letter submitted to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, the organization argued that this proposal threatens not only endangered species but also human environments and e more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Good360, a leading product philanthropy organization, has submitted recommendations to a federal agency emphasizing the critical role of public-private partnerships in strengthening the nation's emergency preparedness and response capabilities. The organization, which distributes essential goods to communities in need, highlighted its longstanding collaboration with FEMA and other agencies in disaster relief efforts. In its letter, Good360 stressed the importance of levera more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- A national nonprofit has issued a strong plea to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to bolster its resources, arguing that the agency is more critical than ever in the face of escalating natural disasters. Green America, a non-profit established in 1982, submitted public comments to the FEMA Review Council on May 15, 2025, emphasizing the escalating financial and human toll of natural catastrophes. The organization highlighted alarming trends, noting that 2024  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Hoopa Valley Tribal Council has submitted strong opposition to a proposed rule change by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that would rescind the regulatory definition of "Harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Chairman Ryan Jackson, in a letter dated May 8, 2025, argued that the move threatens species recovery efforts and federal obligations to tribal nations. The Tribe, located in northwestern C more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- A leading Southern California community developer, Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS), has called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to implement urgent policy changes to ensure equitable disaster recovery for all homeowners, particularly those in manufactured housing communities and those utilizing innovative ownership models. In a letter to Secretary Kristi Lynn Noem and Acting Administrator David  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Idaho Conservation League (ICL) has submitted extensive comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding its proposal to establish a new Distinct Population Segment (GBDPS) for grizzly bears in the lower 48 states and revise the accompanying 4(d) rule. The organization, representing over 26,000 members and supporters, largely supports the Service's comprehensive approach to grizzly bear recovery, while also highlighting key areas for improvement and clar more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) has submitted supplementary comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), emphasizing the extensive efforts by Illinois farmers to support monarch butterfly conservation. The comments, addressed to Regional Listing Coordinator Barbara Hosler, come as the Service reopens dialogue on the monarch's proposed "threatened" status and critical habitat designation. In its letter, the IFB reiterated its strong commitment to pollinator work,  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- King County, Washington, has formally objected to proposed modifications by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to its Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant assurances, arguing that the changes are legally problematic and create significant conflicts for airport sponsors. The county, which owns and manages King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA), submitted its comments to the FAA on May 9, 2025, highlighting concerns over new requirements that it claim more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- LatinoJustice PRLDEF, New York, a prominent civil rights organization, has submitted a robust plea to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council, calling for significant improvements in language accessibility during disaster responses. The organization emphasizes that effective communication in multiple languages is not merely a matter of convenience but a life-saving necessity, particularly for communities with limited English proficiency (LEP). In a de more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- A prominent law firm is pressing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to issue urgent guidance on how businesses can deduct the costs of inventory donated to charities, particularly food banks. Miller & Chevalier Chartered, representing an unnamed client, submitted a letter to the IRS on May 15, 2025, requesting clarification on a tax code section that has created uncertainty for donors. The firm's recommendation focuses on Section 170(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, whi more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), Boston, has voiced significant concerns regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Draft 2026 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity. In a letter submitted to the EPA, Massport contends that the proposed changes substantially increase requirements for permitted facilities without clear evidence of a po more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Mesa County Board of Commissioners has requested a 30-day extension to the public comment period for a proposed rule change by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The proposal seeks to rescind the long-standing definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act, a move that could significantly impact future local projects. In a letter dated May 13, 2025, addressed to Acting Assistant Director Gina Shultz, the Commissioners expressed their appreciation for th more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Nooksack Indian Tribe has submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), strongly opposing a proposed rule to remove the definition of "Harm" from Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations. The Tribe argues that such a change would severely undermine conservation efforts, particularly for salmon populations vital to their culture and economy. In a letter dated May 5, 2025, the Nooksack Triba more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Ohio electric utilities are pushing back against proposed new monitoring requirements for industrial stormwater discharges, arguing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) draft 2026 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) is overly broad. The Ohio Utilities and Generation (OUG), an association representing electric utilities in Ohio, submitted comments to the EPA on May 15, 2025, concerning the proposed permit. The OUG expressed concern that the draft permit significa more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Oklahoma City Airport Trust (OKCAT), operator of Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) and other local airfields, has formally requested that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) delay and clarify proposed modifications to the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant Assurances. In a letter dated May 9, 2025, to Secretary Duffy, the Trust expressed significant concerns regarding the clarity, applicability, and implementation timeline of the proposed changes. The AIP pr more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Orca Conservancy, Seattle, Washington, has voiced strong opposition to a proposed change by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that would rescind the regulatory definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In a letter submitted to the agency, the Washington State-based nonprofit argued that removing this definition would be detrimental to the recovery of endangered species, particularly the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) population. Shari L. Tara more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- The City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department, California, has joined the California Association of Sanitation Agencies in expressing strong concerns over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS. The department argues that the assessment, in its current form, creates unnecessary alarm and jeopardizes a crucial sustainable practice. Jennifer L. Shepardson, Director of Environmental & Regulatory Compliance for  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- A leading satellite technology company, ICEYE, is urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to embrace advanced satellite imagery to revolutionize FEMA's disaster response efforts. In a letter responding to a DHS Request for Information, ICEYE highlighted how broader adoption of their technology could significantly improve efficiency and reduce costs in disaster aid. ICEYE, which has already provided critical insights for nearly 30 flood and wildfire events to FEMA  more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Bering Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, faces growing risks from increased vessel traffic, prompting urgent calls for enhanced safety measures. In a letter to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), Melanie Bahnke, President of Kawerak, Inc., a non-profit Tribal consortium representing 20 federally recognized Tribes in Alaska's Bering Strait region, has advocated for an Area To Be Avoided (ATBA) around the Diomede Islands a more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rethink key aspects of its draft 2026 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for stormwater discharges, particularly concerning new requirements for monitoring per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In comments submitted to the EPA, the MWRA outlined significant logistical and financial burdens the proposed PFAS m more ST

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- A Western North Carolina non-profit organization is calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prioritize the needs of individuals and local communities in its ongoing Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts. Just Economics of Western North Carolina (JE), a 501(c)(3) dedicated to economic justice, submitted a detailed letter to FEMA outlining critical challenges faced by the region and proposing solutions for more effective disaster relief. The organizatio more ST

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- CTIA - The Wireless Association, representing the U.S. wireless communications industry, has submitted comments to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council, emphasizing the critical role of a federal presence in facilitating emergency alerts and coordinating responses to multi-state disaster events. The industry group supports the Trump Administration's goal of modernizing emergency preparedness but stresses the need to maintain essential federal functi more ST