Photo: EcoPhotography
April 16, 2019 (BOSTON, MA) – Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement today in response to the EPA’s proposal to revise the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS).
“The EPA’s proposed definition is a hasty and ill-conceived effort to revoke longstanding, critical protections of the nation’s waterways under the Clean Water Act,” said Heather Govern, Director of CLF’s Clean Air and Water program. “Not only does the proposed rule strip waters of protection for the benefit of a few sectors of industry, but it does so without a basis in law and ignores good environmental policy.”
The proposed rule would repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule and replace it with a more narrow definition of federally-protected waters. This change would eliminate protections for many waters across the country.
CLF submitted formal comments to the EPA on this issue, which can be read here.