December at-a-glance … environment

EPA/Army propose restoring “Waters of the United States” definition

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of the Army proposed rule  seeks comments on the agencies’ intent to restore an earlier definition of “waters of the United States” to better protect the quality of the nation’s waters. The proposed rule seeks to overturn the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule that gave states and tribal nations authority to manage waterways within their borders that are not part of the nation’s navigable waters. U. S. District Courts in Arizona and New Mexico previously vacated the rule. Comments are due 60 days after the proposed rule is posted in the Federal Register. Virtual hearings are scheduled for Jan. 12, 13 and 18. Registration details are included in the link above.