EPA moves to limit scope of clean water law to reduce amount of wetlands it covers
The Environmental Protection Agency says it is redefining the scope of the nation’s bedrock clean water law to limit the amount of wetlands it covers. The new rule builds on a 2023 Supreme Court decision that removed federal protections for significant areas. When finalized, the EPA said the rule will ensure that federal jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act is focused on relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water, such as streams, oceans, rivers and lakes, along with wetlands that are connected to such bodies of water. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the rule will help accelerate economic prosperity while protecting vital water resources. It also will fully implement the direction provided by the Supreme Court in case known as Sackett v. EPA.
