EPA Announces Plans to Narrow Clean Water Act Protections
The agency aims to redefine federal oversight of wetlands and waterways following a Supreme Court decision limiting its regulatory authority.
- The EPA plans to revise the definition of 'waters of the United States' under the Clean Water Act, reducing federal protections for certain wetlands and streams.
- This move aligns with the 2023 Supreme Court Sackett v. EPA decision, which restricted federal regulation to wetlands directly connected to navigable waterways.
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized creating a clear, durable framework to address longstanding disputes over waterway protections.
- Republican lawmakers and agricultural groups support the change, citing reduced regulatory burdens and lower costs for businesses and landowners.
- Environmental groups warn that narrowing protections could harm wetlands, increase pollution, and threaten safe drinking water for millions of Americans.