The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will change the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act.
The WOTUS are bodies of water under federal jurisdiction. The rule affects the permitting process for farmers, landowners, and American businesses.
“When it comes to the definition of ‘waters of the United States,’ EPA has an important responsibility to protect water resources while setting clear and practical rules of the road that accelerate economic growth and opportunity,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “Democrat Administrations have weaponized the definition of navigable waters to seize more power from American farmers, landowners, entrepreneurs, and families.”
“We heard from Americans across the country who want clean water and a clear rule. No longer should America’s landowners be forced to spend precious money hiring an attorney or consultant just to tell them whether a Water of the United States is on their property,” he continued. “EPA is delivering on President Trump’s promise to finalize a revised definition for WOTUS that protects the nation’s navigable waters from pollution, advances cooperative federalism by empowering states, and will result in economic growth across the country.”
The changes follow the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which found that the definition of “waters” is “only those relatively permanent, standing, or continuously flowing bodies of water.”
The new proposed definition will interpret terms such as “relatively permanent,” “continuous surface connection,” “tributary,” and “ditches” as they relate to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall celebrated the move, saying the Supreme Court “clearly ruled several years ago that the government overreached in its interpretation of what fell under federal guidelines.”
“We are still reviewing the entire rule, but we are pleased that it finally addresses those concerns and takes steps to provide much-needed clarity,” Duvall added.
