The Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing major changes to how it reviews permitting disputes, in an effort to speed decisions that environmentalists say will jeopardize the public’s ability to challenge projects that could harm their health.

The regulations make changes to how the EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board, staffed by career appointees, hears disputes over air, water, waste, and other pollution permits issued by the agency’s regional offices or by states. The revisions are the first major update to the board’s administrative appeals process since it was created in 1992 under George H.W. Bush.