New regs for Tuesday: Tuna fishing, endangered crayfish, oil and gas wastewater

Tuesday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for the treatment of oil and gas extraction wastewater, women-owned small businesses, tuna fishing boats and endangered crayfish.

Here’s what is happening:

Water: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new regulations for oil and gas extraction wastewater under the Clean Water Act.

The pretreatment standards proposed Monday by the EPA would prevent wastewater pollutants generated during oil and gas development from being discharged into publicly owned treatment works.

The EPA says some publicly owned treatment works are unprepared to deal with oil and gas pollutants and that these rules would “better protect human health and the environment.”

The public has 60 days to comment.

Women: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is delaying new rules for a program that promotes small businesses owned by women.

The SBA proposed new rules in February for a federal contract program that focuses on women-owned small businesses but said Monday it is extending the comment period to give the public more time to consider the changes.

The public now has until May 6 to comment.

Tuna fishing: The Coast Guard is issuing new guidelines for tuna fishing boats.

The guidance issued Monday for distant water tuna vessels would establish procedures for hiring foreign workers to man the boats.

“Because of the difficulty of hiring U.S. merchant mariners to serve in this fleet, the law authorizes foreign citizens to hold required navigation and engineering positions, if they are properly licensed by their countries, and subject to certain restrictions and limitations, and if qualified U.S. citizens are not readily available,” the Coast Guard wrote.

“Vessels that comply with these conditions may apply for and receive a Coast Guard Manning Exemption Letter attesting to compliance,” it added. “The letter may expedite a vessel boarding or examination process.

The guidance goes into effect on May 1. 

Endangered: The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is proposing new protections for certain crayfish.

The FWS proposed Monday to list the Big Sandy crayfish found in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia as an endangered species. The agency is also looking to list the Guyandotte River crayfish found in West Virginia as endangered.

The public has 60 days to comment.