EPA Will Rewrite WOTUS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to prevent the controversial 2015 Waters of the United States rule–recently dubbed the Clean Water Act–from taking effect.

 

The agency intends to rewrite the rule and seeks a two-year window to get it done. In the interim, the EPA and the Army Corp of Engineers propose returning to the rule that was in place prior to the Clean Water Act.

 

"Today’s proposal shows our commitment to our state and tribal partners and to providing regulatory certainty to our nation’s farmers, ranchers and businesses," EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said in a statement. "This step will allow us to minimize confusion as we continue to receive input from across the country on how we should revise the definition of the waters of the United States."

 

The EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers are preparing a notice for the Federal Register, which would then trigger a 21-day public comment period. The move would give the agencies time to continue information-gathering sessions across the country ahead of a complete rewrite.

 

The Clean Water Act, developed during President Obama’s administration, is tied up in 13 courts nationwide and faces a date in the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

Source: Nebraska Rural Radio Association

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