Clean Water Rule

Written By Kristin Reilly

What is the Clean Water Rule?

The Clean Water Rule was a 2015 regulation published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)to clarify water resource management in the United States under a provision of the Clean Water Act of 1972. 

It is also referred to as the Waters of the United States rule, which defines all bodies of water that fall under U.S. federal jurisdiction. The rule was published in response to concerns about lack of clarity over its scope from legislators at multiple levels, industry members, researchers and other science professionals, activists, and citizens.

Specific details that have been clarified by the rule are outlined below:

  • Defines more clearly the tributaries and adjacent waters that are under federal jurisdiction and explains how they are covered

  • Carries over existing exclusions from the Clean Water Act

  • Reduces categories of waters which are subject to case-by-case analysis

  • Protects US "regional water treasures"

Clean Water Webinars

The Trump administration will hold 10 teleconferences and one in-person meeting to solicit input as it prepares to write a new rule defining which streams and wetlands are subject to federal protection.

In a Federal Register notice to be published Monday, EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers outlined a schedule of teleconferences to run through the fall. Nine of the calls will be focused on specific sectors, such as agriculture and mining. Hunters and anglers will also get to weigh in via teleconference. One of the calls will be to hear from the general public.

We encourage ALL of our members to sign up for a webinar related to their focus.

The schedule for the Waters of the US webinars is as follows:

 

 

Kristin Reilly
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