EPA delays water regulation revision to allow more public comment
The Environmental Protection Agency has opened another round of public comment on three key terms in a rule defining which bodies of water are subject to regulation, also known as the “Waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, rule, further lengthening the agency’s timeline for finalizing the rules.
TL;DR
- EPA is opening a new public comment period on the WOTUS rule.
- The comment period focuses on three key terms: 'relatively permanent,' 'continuous surface,' and 'perennial.'
- This extends the timeline for finalizing the rule.
- The EPA is seeking to comply with the Supreme Court's decision in Sackett v. EPA.
- The rule defines which bodies of water are subject to federal regulation.
- Previous WOTUS rules have seen significant changes under different administrations.
- The EPA has received over 220,000 comments on the proposed rule previously.