ICYMI: EPA and Army Corps Announce Clear WOTUS Definition to Protect Water Resources and Accelerate Economic Growth
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, together with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, announced a proposed rule that would establish a clear, durable, common-sense definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The proposal comes after the Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which delivered on the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting America's waters while providing the regulatory certainty needed to support our nation’s farmers who feed and fuel the world and advance EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative. The proposal was unveiled at a packed event at EPA headquarters yesterday in Washington, DC with over a hundred state and industry leaders in attendance.
Read coverage below on EPA’s proposal to clearly define WOTUS.
ABC: ABC Welcomes Trump Administration’s Proposal To Clarify ‘Waters of the United States’
“. . . The November 2025 proposed rule would ensure USACE and EPA are in full compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s May 25 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which placed clear boundaries on the scope of the federal government’s authority while maintaining important environmental protections for America’s waterways.”
Agri-Pulse: EPA, Corps float new 'waters of the U.S.' proposal
“. . . At an event to announce the proposal, Zeldin said his goal in crafting the proposal ‘was to come up with a definition that no matter what would happen in November of '28 or November 2032 that you're going to keep this definition. This wasn't about taking a pendulum and swinging it as far as you can up against another edge. It's about getting it right, and I think that our farmers, our ranchers, our landowners in these states absolutely deserve it.’”
AgWeb: New WOTUS Proposal Could Reduce Red Tape for Farmers and Ranchers
“Farmers and ranchers could soon face fewer regulatory hurdles when working near waterways, as EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers released a new proposal on Nov. 17 to redefine “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS).”
AgWeek: EPA unveils WOTUS proposal aimed at clarity and commonsense definitions
“The debate over the definition of Waters of the United States may be headed toward clarity soon, now that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army for Civil Works released details of a new proposed rule on Monday, Nov. 17.”
American Ag Network: EPA & Army Corps Unveil Clear, Durable WOTUS Proposal
“. . . This proposal recognizes that states and tribes know their local land and water resources best. . . Cooperative federalism has been a cornerstone of Clean Water Act implementation and the agency’s proposed WOTUS rule at last fulfills that commitment to real, shared federal and state responsibility.”
Associated Press: EPA moves to limit scope of clean water law to reduce amount of wetlands it covers
“. . . But Zeldin, who has traveled to all 50 states since taking office earlier this year, said complaints about the invasive nature of the water rule have emerged in every state. The Trump administration has listened to concerns from farmers and other groups worried about federal interference in how they use their land, he said, and has moved to set limited, predictable and lasting rules defining which waterways the Clean Water Act protects.”
Beef Magazine: NCBA backs new WOTUS rule from EPA
“The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the new proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The revised WOTUS rule comes after decades of advocacy by NCBA and our state affiliate partners to remove confusing and burdensome regulations on cattle farmers and ranchers.”
Bloomberg Law: EPA Proposes Scaled-Back Definition of Protected US Waters (1)
“. . . The proposal aims to bring Clean Water Act protections for waters and wetlands in line with the US Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Sackett v. EPA, which reduced the scope of federal jurisdiction over waters and wetlands.”
Breitbart: EPA Chief Zeldin to Revise Rule Dems Weaponized Against American Farmers
“. . . The proposed rule would eliminate needless red tape and provide clarity for American industry, energy producers, ranchers and others impacted by onerous regulations.”
Daily Caller: Trump Admin To Wash Away Biden-Era Water Rule After Years Of Contentious Debate
“. . . Zeldin noted that during his 50 state tour as the EPA administrator, no issue came up more than WOTUS. The administrator argued the redefinition is a common sense update intended to ‘get it right’ that will not ‘swing the pendulum’ dramatically in a different direction.”
DTN Progressive Farmer: Trump Releases New WOTUS Rule Defining Key Terms Important to Farms, Ranches
“. . . The new rule would reaffirm that wetlands must be indistinguishable from jurisdictional waters through a continuous surface connection. This means such waters are required to touch jurisdictional water and hold surface water for a certain duration annually.”
Feedstuffs: EPA proposes revised WOTUS definition
“ . . . In developing the proposed rule, EPA and the Army said they considered the extensive feedback and recommendations they received from states, tribes, local governments and stakeholders.”
Fox News: Zeldin overhauls Obama-Biden water rule that let puddles trigger costly permits
“EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin will announce Monday a revamp of the widely criticized Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule – a regulation that, in one case, left an Idaho couple facing potential fines of $33,000 per day for building a home on ‘soggy’ ground.”
Hoosier Ag Today: EPA, Army Corps Unveil New Proposed WOTUS Rule Following Sackett Ruling
“. . . The rule also maintains long-standing exclusions, including prior-converted cropland, waste treatment systems and a newly clarified exemption for groundwater. Federal officials said the updated definition aims to align the rule with the Supreme Court’s guidance while providing clarity to landowners.”
Iowa Capital Dispatch: EPA proposes narrowed rules for Clean Water Act jurisdiction
“. . . EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the proposed rules will protect navigable waters, advance cooperative federalism and result in economic growth.”
KRC TV: LaMalfa praises EPA for cutting red tape, restoring rights to farmers and landowners
“Congressman Doug LaMalfa is in support of EPA's action to reform waters in the US. . . On Monday afternoon, Rep. LaMalfa released a statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced their proposed rule to define waters of the United States (WOTUS) as part of the Clean Water Act. According to officials, when finalized, this rule will help accelerate economic prosperity while protecting vital water resources.”
KSAL News: Proposed Rules Would Protect Ranchers
“After decades of advocacy by NCBA and its state affiliate partners, including KLA, to remove confusing and burdensome regulations on ranchers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new proposed waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that ensures only large bodies of water and their main tributaries fall under federal jurisdiction.”
KXNET: EPA to refine water rules following feedback on 2023 amendments
“The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers have taken steps to redefine what counts as ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS). The agencies announced Monday, 11/17/25, that they have signed off on a proposed rule that reflects the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Sackett v EPA.”
Lancaster Farming: Trump EPA Proposes New Rules for Waters of the United States
“. . . Ag groups are generally pleased with the Trump administration’s latest attempt. ‘For too long, shifting interpretations have created real uncertainty about whether everyday decisions might trigger federal oversight,’ said Caleb Ragland, the president of the American Soybean Association.”
Marcellus Drilling News: Trump EPA Proposes Common Sense Definition for Waters of the U.S.
“. . . The proposal, unveiled by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, aims to protect water resources while accelerating economic growth by providing regulatory certainty for farmers, landowners, and businesses.”
Odessa American Online: GUEST VIEW: Unleashing American Energy: EPA’s WOTUS overhaul signals a win for oil and gas operators
“In a bold move that could turbocharge U.S. energy production, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dropped a proposed revision to the “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) definition on November 17, 2025.”
RFD TV: WOTUS Update: Trump Administration Proposes New Rule to Comply with Supreme Court Decision
“. . . Congressional ag officials weigh in on the latest efforts around WOTUS, as officials work to get a clear definition on the books. House Agriculture Chair GT Thompson says the update delivers a ‘clear, practical definition’ for farmers and ranchers.”
Southwest Arkansas Radio: Putting States Back in the Drivers’ Seat
“. . . There is no doubt that Administrator Zeldin has everyday Americans in mind, and I look forward to working with him. . . to enact commonsense regulations that protect our navigable waterways, hardworking Arkansans, and constitutional separation of powers.”
Tampa Free Press: EPA Moves To Narrow Federal Water Rules, Citing Clarity And Economic Growth
“. . . The EPA argues the redefinition is a ‘common sense update’ intended to ‘get it right’ and establish a ‘durable’ rule after years of regulatory uncertainty and shifting definitions between administrations.”
Texas Farm Bureau: New WOTUS proposal offers clarity for farmers, landowners
“. . . The draft rule also gives states and tribes more authority to manage smaller or isolated waters, while the federal government maintains oversight of larger, more permanent bodies of water.”
The Federalist: EPA's Proposed WOTUS Rule Eases Land Use Near Puddles
“The Trump administration is about to curb an overzealous Obama-era environmental regulation by revising the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act.”
The Fence Post: EPA, Army Corps releases revised WOTUS rule
“. . . The agencies said they developed this proposed rule using input from multiple sources, including a pre-proposal recommendations docket, information from nine public listening sessions, and consultation comments from states, tribes and local governments.”
The Hill: Trump proposes to narrow where Clean Water Act applies
“. . . EPA assistant administrator Jessica Kramer also told reporters that under the proposed rule, ephemeral streams — those that only flow briefly after rain or snowfall — would not be eligible for protections.”
Washington Examiner: EPA moves to limit water rules fought by industry for decades
“The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed narrowing the definition of bodies of water subject to federal oversight, giving developers and businesses an advantage in a regulatory battle with environmentalists that has stretched beyond half a century.”
Washington Examiner: Daily on Energy, presented by TC Energy: WOTUS, the House agenda, and oil forecasts
“. . . During a presser, Zeldin said the EPA’s goal is to ensure the WOTUS definition stands the test of time despite which political party is in power.”
WasteDive: EPA announces changes to ‘waters of the United States’ rule
“. . . But under the proposed definition update, a waste treatment system would be more specifically defined as including “all components of a waste treatment system designed to meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act,” and including treatment ponds ‘designed to either convey or retain, concentrate, settle, reduce, or remove pollutants, either actively or passively, from wastewater prior to discharge.’”
WV Metro News: EPA puts modified WOTUS out for public comment
“. . . In his remarks, Zeldin said they drafted the rule with the future in mind so it would survive future elections and changes at the top of the agency. The definition of WOTUS has been debated, litigated, and even changed at the request of an incoming administration. Zeldin said this rule is reasonable and durable to create certainty for decades to come.”
WV News: Morrisey praises EPA’s new WOTUS proposal as “wonderful turnaround” in water policy
“ . . . Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who attended an announcement of the proposed rule in Washington, called the EPA's decision a ‘wonderful turnaround’ in policy. ‘For too long there’s been a great deal of uncertainty about this term ‘waters of the United States’ rule,’ Morrisey said.”