The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and U.S. Department of the Army are calling on communities to propose roundtables to provide input on the regional implications of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) Rule. The regional roundtables aim to inform the work of USEPA and the Army to develop an enduring definition of WOTUS that supports public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth.
“Crafting a lasting definition of WOTUS means that we must bolster our understanding of how different regions experience and protect our nation’s vital waters,” said Radhika Fox, USEPA Assistant Administrator. “These roundtables will provide a great opportunity to deepen our shared knowledge. They also represent one opportunity—in a suite of strategic tools—the agencies are utilizing to obtain input on this important topic.”
The roundtables will provide opportunities to discuss geographic similarities and differences, particular water resources that are characteristic of or unique to each region, and site-specific feedback about implementation. The events are expected to take place in December 2021 and potentially January 2022.
Each nomination for a roundtable must include a proposed slate of participants representing perspectives of:
- Agriculture
- Conservation Groups
- Developers
- Drinking Water/Wastewater Management
- Environmental Organizations
- Environmental Justice Communities
- Industry
- Other key water interests in the region
Nomination letters to hold a roundtable in your region should be sent via email to WOTUS-outreach@epa.gov no later than November 3, 2021.