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Mar 4, 2020

EPA’s Science Advisory Board Criticizes Rules Defining WOTUS

WOTUS Rule

EPA’s Science Advisory Board (“SAB”) is reiterating its criticism of the EPA’s new Waters of the United States (“WOTUS”) rule claiming that the new rule fails to incorporate current science in its definition. The SAB notes in its commentary that the revised definition decreases protection for our nation’s waters, without providing a scientific basis in support of its restriction. The SAB criticism points out that the EPA and the Corps. finalized the new WOTUS after the SAB had finalized its commentary, but before it had been transmitted to either agency. For more information, contact Andy Thompson or Phillip Hoover.


Jan 23, 2018

Supreme Court Rules Challenges to WOTUS Rule Must be Brought in District Court

Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule

In a unanimous decision issued on January 22, 2018, the Supreme Court held that challenges to the WOTUS Rule must be reviewed first in federal district court, reversing the Sixth Circuit’s ruling with instructions to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. The Supreme Court’s decision results in a lift of the national stay of the WOTUS Rule ordered by the Sixth Circuit, which could make the Rule’s provisions enforceable, at least until another court issues a national stay of the Rule. In 2015, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers proffered a definition of the term “waters of the United States”… Read more