Water Quality
The House Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on the Environment is scheduled to discuss the future of the Waters of the U.S. Rule or “WOTUS” rule on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. The regulation determines which wetlands and small waterways are protected by the Clean Water Act. The subcommittee will also examine state participation in administering... Read More
In June, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the proposed repeal of the 2015 Clean Water Rule in anticipation of replacing it with a narrower definition of “Waters of the U.S.” or “WOTUS.” The EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers are currently soliciting recommendations for this new definition, the second... Read More
In early 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to resolve jurisdictional wrangling over which federal court should hear challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s contentious 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. That rule sought to clarify the definition of “navigable waters” in the Clean Water Act (CWA). Earlier this month, the nation’s highest court... Read More
Time is running out to submit your comment to EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers on the proposed repeal of the Waters of the U.S. Rule (WOTUS). The comment period will close on September 27, 2017. Make your voice heard! Comment here. AFS and 11 other science societies submitted a joint comment letter to oppose the... Read More
In mid-September, the House passed an omnibus spending package containing all 12 of the major appropriations bills for fiscal year 2018. Senate appropriators are still working bills through the committee process. The House and Senate will need to reconcile their respective bills before the budget moves forward to President Trump for signature. Shortly after returning... Read More
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is pursuing a two-step process to repeal the Obama administration’s 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule and craft a replacement, using a narrower legal definition promoted by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The Trump administration will hold 10 teleconferences and one in-person meeting to solicit input as it prepares... Read More
CASS WOTUS Comment Period Extension Request Read More
Recently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed to rescind the Clean Water Rule. (Details available on the Federal Register). The Clean Water Rule, which was developed using the best available, peer-reviewed science, clarifies which waters are and are not categorically protected under the Clean Water Act. Specifically, the Clean... Read More
UPDATE: EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers have extended the comment period by 30 days for the proposed repeal of the Waters of the U.S. Rule (WOTUS) to provide additional time for stakeholders to weigh in. The comment period, as now extended, will close on September 27, 2017. https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule/extension-comment-period-definition-waters-united-states-recodification-pre-existing The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving... Read More
The Trump administration is moving forward to repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule (WOTUS). Last month, EPA and the Army Corps issued a proposed rule that was filed in the Federal Register today. The public comment period is open until August 28, 2017. AFS joined with the members of the Consortium of Aquatic Science Societies... Read More
