Comments on the Proposed "Waters of the U.S." Rule due October 20th

PROPOSED “WATERS OF THE U.S.” RULE

BY: Marvin Ensor, Regional Program Leader – West Region

The Clean Water Act (CWA) gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulates the quality standards for surface waters.

The proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule defines the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act. It basically broadens the scope of the waters subject to regulation under the CWA and expands the types of waters and lands subject to federal permit requirements.

There’s concern that the proposed changes would give EPA jurisdiction over smaller, more remote waters that currently fall under state and local governments. Normal farm and ranch activities could be interpreted by EPA to be point source discharges of pollutants and subject agricultural producers to federal permitting, regulations, and fines.

The proposed rule can be found at the following site http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-04-21/pdf/2014-07142.pdf . 

Comments can be submitted on or before Oct. 20, 2014. Comments should be identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW 2011–0880 and submitted by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Email: ow-docket@epa.gov. Include EPA–HQ–OW–2011–0880 in the subject line of the message.

• Mail: Send the original and three copies of your comments to: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 2822T, 1200; Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention: Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2011–0880.

-          Courtesy of the West Region Ag Program Blog