Comment & Consultation
Waters of the United States – Comment by May 20
On March 12, EPA and the U.S. Department of the Army announced their intent to undertake a rulemaking to revise the definition of βwaters of the United Statesβ definition in light of the Supreme Courtβs decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, 598 U.S. 651 (2023). On March 21, the agencies initiated consultation with federally recognized Indian Tribes on key topics related to the definition. Webinars are scheduled on March 31 and April 30.
- Learn more on TCOTs.
- Read the Federal RegisterΒ notice.
- Register for the webinar on March 31.
- Register for the webinar on April 30.Β The link to this webinar is not yet posted.)
The agencies also announced a series of six listening sessions. Opportunities to register will be posted on the Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement Activities web page
Waters of the United States – Consultation ends May 20, 2025
On March 12, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that EPA will work with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to review the definition of βwaters of the United States.β A joint memorandum also issued guidance to field staff on implementation of βcontinuous surface connectionβ consistent with the U.S. Supreme Courtβs May 25, 2023, decision in the case of Sackett v. EPA.
The agencies announced a Federal Register notice publicizing six listening sessions and a 30-day recommendations docket to solicit feedback on key aspects of the definition of βwaters of the United States.β Opportunities to attend the listening sessions and provide comments will be posted on the Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement Activities web page.
Consultation period starts March 31, 2025
Consultation period ends May 20, 2025
EPA Extends Public Comment Period by 30 Days for Three Draft Chapters of WQS Handbook – Ends April 11, 2025
On December 12, 2024, EPA released three draft Water Quality Standards (WQS) Handbook chapters for a 90-day public comment period. The EPA has extended this public comment period an additional 30 days. The comment period will now end on April 11, 2025.
We look forward to your constructive comments. All comments must be submitted through the Docket. The EPAβs WQS Handbook page includes instructions for providing comments. If youβve already submitted comments prior to the public comment period extension, you do not need to resubmit your comments as they are already incorporated into the public record.
Withdrawal of Tribal Baseline Water Quality Standards Rule
On December 20, EPA withdrew the proposed rule, βFederal Baseline Water Quality Standards for Indian Reservations.β The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register and was undergoing review by the Office of Management and Budget. EPA is instead focusing its resources on engaging with Tribes to support their efforts to seek authority to administer their own water quality standards (WQS) programs under the Clean Water Actβs provision for an eligible Tribe to be treated in a similar manner as a state (TAS). EPA will continue to work closely with, and offer support to, Tribes that are interested in pursuing TAS to administer a WQS program and developing their own WQS under the Clean Water Act. If you have questions or would like to discuss TAS and WQS-related topics, contact Rachel Renkins, Water Quality Standards Coordinator, at Renkens.Rachael@epa.gov.
Presentation: How Tribes Can Influence Agency Decision Making
Public participation matters. Democratic, legal, and management principles justify why public comments make a difference in regulatory policy. Big Corporations, private citizens, industry polluters also comment, it is important that Tribal perspectives are represented alongside others.
Slides from RTOC Policy Advisor, Rich Eichsteadt on How Tribes Can Influence Agency Decision Making.pdf
