Wetlands and Streams in the Great Plains Threatened by Proposed Rule: Your Voice May Help Save Them

The EPA and Corps of Engineers recently held the one and only public hearing on a Proposed Rule that, if adopted, will redefine “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) in a way that will eliminate regulatory protection for most wetlands in the Great Plains and many thousands of miles of streams, including most tributaries that flow into larger streams and rivers.

If adopted by the agencies, isolated wetlands (not connected to major rivers), along with countless streams and sections of rivers that would be removed from WOTUS, will no longer be protected by the Clean Water Act of 1972. The wetlands and streams removed from recognition as WOTUS will not be protected from pollution by EPA or the Section 404 permit requirement for dredging, draining and/or filling administered by the Corps of Engineers.