This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS) to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. The agencies are committed to following the law and implementing the Clean Water Act to deliver …
Supreme Court Ruling Limits WOTUS
By Frank Giles In a ruling on May 25, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on a case that will limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) jurisdiction in enforcing the Clean Water Act (CWA). The case also influences the agency’s definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS). In the case, Sackett v. EPA, the court ruled in …
Resolution Gives WOTUS Thumbs Down
By Frank Giles The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule has burbled back up from the regulatory depths. On Dec. 30, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a final rule to redefine WOTUS under the Clean Water Act. This marks the third attempt to define the term that started with …
Final WOTUS Rule Announced
By Frank Giles The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the latest attempt to define the waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The final rule was announced on Dec.30. The final rule restores essential water protections that were in place prior to 2015 under the Clean Water Act for …
Supreme Court EPA Ruling Watched Closely by Agricultural Interests
By Frank Giles The Supreme Court of the United States has made some consequential judgements during its latest term. Among them on the last day of June, was its ruling on the case — West Virginia vs. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The case has been watched closely by many industries, including agriculture, because it took up the question of the …