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In April 2020, the EPA, and the Department of the Army (the "agencies”) published the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) that revised the previously-codified definition of "waters of the United States” (85 FR 22250, April 21, 2020). The agencies initiated the development of regulations that are founded on the familiar framework of the pre-2015 regulations, are consistent with the statute and informed by relevant Supreme Court decisions, and that reflect a reasonable interpretation based on the record before the agencies, including the best available science.  The proposal was open for public comment between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022.  It is planned that this rule will be finalized by the end of the calendar year (2022). 

Statement of Need:

In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") published the "Clean Water Rule: Definition of 'Waters of the United States (80 FR 37054, June 29, 2015)." In April 2020, the agencies published the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (85 FR 22250, April 21, 2020).  The agencies conducted  a substantive re-evaluation of the definition of "waters of the United States" in accordance with the Executive Order 13990 and determined that they need to revise the definition to ensure the agencies listen to the science, protect the environment, ensure access to clean water, consider how climate change resiliency may be affected by the definition of waters of the United States, and to ensure environmental justice is prioritized in the rulemaking process.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

The Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).

Alternatives:

Please see EPA's alternatives.  EPA is the lead for this rulemaking action.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

Please see EPA's statement of anticipated costs and benefits.  EPA is the lead for this rulemaking action.

Risks:

Please see EPA's risks.  EPA is the lead for this rulemaking action.