WOTUS Definitions Finalized, Lawsuit to Block Implementation Filed

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army announced a final rule that establishes a definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). USEPA and the U.S. Department of the Army say the final WOTUS Rule (Rule) restores essential water protections that were in place prior to 2015 under the Read More

Supreme Court Hears Wetlands Protection Case, WOTUS Expected to be Impacted

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) began hearing a high-profile wetlands protection case, Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, on October 3. Water industry analysts are watching the case carefully, as it could have an impact on how the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) are designated under the Clean Water Act (CWA).                                                                                                                          Michael and Read More

Public Comments Accepted on WOTUS Definition

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (Army) announced a proposed rule to re-establish the pre-2015 definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) with updates to reflect consideration of Supreme Court decisions. USEPA says the action advances the goal of establishing a durable definition of WOTUS that protects public Read More

Do You Want to Host a Regional WOTUS Roundtable?

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 Read More

Next Steps for Waters of the United States

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (Army) announced plans for upcoming community engagements to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The USEPA and Army say the agencies are “committed to developing a reasonable, effective, and durable definition of WOTUS that protects public health, the environment, Read More

Lawsuits Attempt to Block New Definition of WOTUS

The pendulum on the definition of the “Waters of the United States”, or WOTUS, appears to be swinging in yet another direction. A federal lawsuit filed by 20 entities aims to prevent the Navigable Waters Protection Act from going into effect later this month. California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Read More