EPA Region 6 gets
new administrator
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 has a new administrator.
Ken McQueen of New Mexico will replace Anne Idsal, who left the region to work at the EPA in Washington, D.C., earlier this year.
McQueen was New Mexico's Cabinet secretary for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department from 2016-18, according to a news release from the EPA.
Before that, he was vice president of Williams/WPX Energy from 2002-16 and was an engineer at Vintage Petroleum from 1994 until 2002, the release states.
Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment Secretary Becky W. Keogh was quoted in the EPA news release as saying department leaders "commend" McQueen's work in New Mexico to "streamline rules and regulations."
"We look forward to strong partnerships and cooperation to drive environmental improvements of local, regional, and national importance," Keogh said in the news release.
The Sierra Club issued a statement opposing McQueen's appointment, calling it a "dangerous mistake" because he has "repeatedly proven he will put the interests of oil and gas companies before our health and the bountiful resources that make New Mexico and Southwest unique."
Region 6 encompasses Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The regional offices are often the offices that work with states on regulation changes, inspections and enforcement actions.
Arkansas is delegated the authority to issue permits under federal laws, which the region would do if the state did not have such authority. The region reviews and approves Arkansas' rule changes and other regular reporting, such as the state's biannual list of impaired water bodies.
The region also takes over larger enforcement cases. In December, the agency announced a multimillion-dollar consent decree against Georgia-Pacific's paper mill in Crossett that was entered into with the state Department of Environmental Quality.
USDA offers cash
to fund easements
Landowners whose property is damaged by flooding or other natural disasters can apply for money to pay for conservation easements.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service has set aside $2.8 million to buy or restore easements, according to a news release from the agency.
Arkansas is one of 11 states to get a share of a total pot of $217.5 million for such projects. The funding is part of a $4.5 million package to the department, authorized by President Donald Trump on June 6, to help farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses in agricultural operations, timber or other things.
The money can also be used to repair farmland, restore timber or perform watershed recovery work.
Landowners can submit applications to their local Natural Resource Conservation Service offices until Sept. 27.
Conference focus
on sustainability
Early registration ends Aug. 30 for the 2019 Arkansas Recycling Coalition's conference and trade show in Eureka Springs.
The event will feature a sustainability tour of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus, according to an announcement about the conference.
DeAnne Toto, editor of Recycling Today, will be the keynote speaker, and John K. Melvin, an ecologist artist, will speak at a breakfast.
The conference and trade show will take place Sept. 30 through Oct. 2. Sessions include the effect of medical marijuana on waste, sustainable brands, improving recycling education, the future of battery disposal and the future of packaging, among other things.
People interested in learning more, including about how to exhibit or sponsor, can go to www.recycleark.org or call (866) 290-1429.
Metro on 08/11/2019