WWA opposes proposed Clean Water Act rollbacks

As you know from the headlines, the Trump administration has initiated a repeal of the 2015 Clean Water Rule and proposed to replace it with a far less protective definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). This is the latest chapter in a decades-long struggle to define what waters receive protection under the federal Clean Water Act.

Wisconsin Wetlands Association (WWA) opposes the Trump Administration’s proposal because it ignores good science and establishes a very narrow definition of federally protected waters. If enacted, the proposal leaves the nation’s geographically isolated wetlands and headwater streams vulnerable to development. This will irreversibly hurt downstream waters and communities, in Wisconsin and beyond. Ephemeral ponds, disconnected floodplain wetlands, and tributaries to trout streams would be disproportionally hit.

Though we expect the administration to move forward to adopt the proposed rule, legal challenges from across the country are likely to delay implementation for years if not indefinitely. The comment period closed on April 15th.

To read WWA’s comments, click here.

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