Findings of Clean Water Act made public

The findings of the US Clean Water Act have been made public, meaning that operators are now able to see what areas of land or water fall under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers, following the implementation of the controversial Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule.

These jurisdictional determinations may be of use to operators who wish to evaluate water on their own operations, regardless of whether or not waters are subject to the rule. Companies should also be aware that the information they submit per the Clean Water Act and WOTUS rule is readily accessible, as was promised by the EPA and the Corps during the rule-making process.

This database of determinations is intended to increase the transparency of a permitting programme that has been criticised by Congress for its lack of transparency and inconsistency in application. The database provides only basic information, such as name and location, but it is expected that the status of the determination, the tract of land in question, watershed information and other details will be included in the coming year.

Although a nationwide stay is currently keeping the WOTUS rule from being enforced, this database lists all jurisdictional determinations made before the nationwide stay.

Adapted from press release by Rebecca Bowden  Source: NSSGA

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/03122015/findings-of-clean-water-act-made-public-106/