EPA Plans Major Revision of WOTUS Rule Following Supreme Court Ruling

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are set to revise the definition of 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) to align with the Supreme Court's 2023 Sackett ruling, which narrowed federal jurisdiction over waterways. The revision aims to provide regulatory clarity, reduce permitting costs for businesses, and protect navigable waters from pollution. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described the initiative as a major deregulatory move, emphasizing the need for clear guidance on federal jurisdiction to facilitate economic growth. The agency will engage stakeholders through listening sessions and a rulemaking process to implement the revised definition, while also offering interim guidance for states. Critics, such as environmental attorneys, warn that these changes could increase pollution risks in wetlands and other sensitive areas. This announcement is part of a broader regulatory shift intended to lessen environmental protections under previous administrations.