Earlier this week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency announced rulemaking that includes a new definition of the Waters of the U.S. Rule under the Clean Water Act. The proposed rule is designed to revise the definition of WOTUS, in order to make sure the definition matches up with the Trump Administration’s Executive Order issued in February of 2017. Brent Van Dyke, President of the National Association of Conservation Districts, is pleased with the work done by the EPA and the Army Corps to address just how complex the definition of jurisdictional waters can be. “Locally-led conservation, including local decision-making, must be at the forefront of these clarification efforts,” he says. “That’s why the NACD has consistently stood against expanding federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.”
Van Dyke says they are optimistic the new rule will provide clarity and transparency around current WOTUS regulations and help landowners have a better understanding of exactly what is compliant with the law. The National Association of Conservation Districts says it will continue to work with the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to provide additional input as they complete the review of the proposed rule.
Source: NAFB News Service