The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Local Government Advisory Committee’s Protecting America’s Waters Workgroup has announced a series of meetings to take comments from local elected and appointed officials on the EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. rule. While just noticed in the Federal Register on May 29, 2014, the first of the meetings was already held May 28, 2014 in St. Paul, MN. The Workgroup plans to hold several meetings on the topic around the United States, with dates and locations to be announced. 

The Waters of the U.S. rule is a response to the controversy surrounding a proposed 2011 guidance document advising agency field staff on how to determine jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.  Many interested stakeholders, including RCRC, saw the guidance as a de facto rule that would have expanded the federal definition of “Waters of the U.S.” without going through a proper public rulemaking process.  The guidance was withdrawn, with the agencies now seeking an official rule to expand their authority. The Workgroup meetings will seek comments on the rule to inform their advice to the EPA on how to proceed.

Information on upcoming meetings of the Workgroup to discuss Waters of the U.S. will be posted to the Local Government Advisory Committee website, accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Regulatory Affairs Advocate Staci Heaton at (916) 447-4806 orsheaton@rcrcnet.org.