On September 27, 2024, EPA Region 3 executed a federal facility compliance agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to address violations of the NPDES Permit governing discharges from USFWS' National Conservation Training Center (Facility) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Specifically, the FFCA addresses persistent exceedances of copper and zinc in the Facility's effluent through installation and operation of a reverse osmosis system at the Facility's onsite wastewater treatment system. The FFCA includes reporting requirements and construction deadlines for installation and operation of the reverse osmosis system.
The Facility is in an area of potential EJ concern. The State of West Virginia has been made aware of this action.