The Trump administration will soon roll out a sweeping Clean Water Act rule that could erode protections for many wetlands and small streams.
The White House on Friday finished reviewing EPA’s plan to redefine which waters are covered by the law, signaling that the proposal is ready to be released to the public.
The issue is a top priority for the Trump administration. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced in March plans to amend the scope of the Clean Water Act through a new “waters of the U.S.” definition, marking the fifth time in less than 15 years that would be changed.
The Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction over wetlands — which help filter pollutants out of reservoirs and rivers, reduce the effects of flooding, and harbor rare and endangered species — has long been contentious.
