Environmental Protection Agency and Army propose a new definition of the WOTUS

On December 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army proposed a new definition of the Waters of the United States rule (WOTUS). This proposal is the final step in the process to review and revise the controversial rule following President Trump’s 2017 “Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Renewing the ‘Waters of the United States’ Rule” Executive Order.

“Our proposal would replace the Obama EPA’s 2015 definition with one that respects the limits of the Clean Water Act and provides states and landowners the certainty they need to manage their natural resources and grow local economies,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “For the first time, we are clearly defining the difference between federally protected waterways and state protected waterways. Our simpler and clearer definition would help landowners understand whether a project on their property will require a federal permit or not, without spending thousands of dollars on engineering and legal professionals.”

RLI Past President Bob Turner, ALC, attended the official signing. “We will finally have clarification of the rules, we will be able to easily determine what is Federal waters and what is not without having to hire engineers, consultants and lawyers to get a determination,” said Turner. “This will allow landowners, farmers, developers, home builders, and conservationist to own, improve, develop, maintain and pass on to future generations with a clear, understandable and implementable definition.” Read more.