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Published in Federal Register Today: The Navigable Waters Protection Rule
Published in Federal Register Today: The Navigable Waters Protection Rule: Definition of ‘‘Waters of the United States’’
The final replacement Waters of the U.S. Rule has been published in the Federal Register today. This has the same text as that released earlier this year. This rule goes into effect on June 22 and replaces the previous rule and guidance across the U.S. There will likely be legal challenges, and NSSGA and our coalition will work to defend the rule.
For years, NSSGA has advocated for a more reasonable rule that excludes dry streambeds, ditches and other marginal waters that have little impact on flowing waters. The final Waters of the U.S. rule better aligns with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court decisions by including navigable waters, adjacent wetlands and tributaries as waters that are federally regulated. The EPA announced the new Waters of the U.S. rule on January 23, which was today published in the Federal Register.
For more information on the rule at its impact, NSSGA members may contact Emily Coyner at ecoyner@nssga.org