Published in Last Word
ACEC submitted comments last week to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers citing concerns about the expansion of federal jurisdiction over domestic waters—including wetlands—in the proposed Waters of the U.S. regulation.
Based on input from members, ACEC asked for clarifications of new designations to describe covered waters and questioned the new definitions of floodplains and tributaries. ACEC also raised concerns over whether ditches and wastewater treatment ponds might be subject to regulation under the proposed rule.
The Council called for “a uniform policy and consistency” in the regulations governing wetlands, and urged the agencies to do more to engage stakeholders in this effort.
EPA has come under criticism in Congress over the proposed rule, and efforts may be undertaken in December and in early 2015 to prevent the agency from moving forward.
To read the comments, click here.
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