EPA Issues Final Rule Redefining "Waters of the United States"
On April 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule redefining the scope of the “waters of the United States” regulated under the Clean Water Act. The rule shrinks the universe of regulated waters, eliminating (among other things) intermittent streams and wetlands not directly adjacent to other jurisdictional waters. Seventeen states (including Massachusetts) and a host of environmental organizations (including some in Massachusetts) have sued to block the rule, which is slated to become effective on June 22.
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