The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers on Friday announced a new definition of “waters of the United States,” a classification that has been debated for decades.
The new definition announced this week instates similar protections to those that were in place before 2015, while also clarifying certain qualifications for protected waters. At issue is which types of waterways — wetlands, rivers, lakes, etc. — are protected under the Clean Water Act (WOTUS), which was signed into law 50 years ago. The act regulates water pollutants and empowers the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to define which particular bodies of water are protected by law. Protected bodies of water qualify for federal programs pertaining to oil spill prevention, water quality regulation and more.
Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening following the issuance the final Waters of the United States Rule , said, “Texas Farm Bureau is extremely disappointed in the final Waters of the United States rule issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.