Notice of Public Meetings Regarding “Waters of the United States”
Please visit our Public Outreach and Engagement webpage for information on EPA and the Department of Army's current engagement efforts.
The final "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'" rule was published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2023, and the rule took effect on March 20, 2023. Please visit the Rule Status page for additional information about the status of the rule and litigation. The agencies developed the 2023 Rule with consideration of the relevant provisions of the Clean Water Act and the statute as a whole, relevant Supreme Court case law, and the agencies’ technical expertise after more than 45 years of implementing the longstanding pre-2015 “waters of the United States” framework. This rule also considers the best available science and extensive public comment to establish a definition of “waters of the United States” that supports public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth. More information about the final rule is available here.
On June 9, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army announced their intent to revise the definition of “waters of the United States.”
This notice included a schedule for initial public meetings to hear from interested stakeholders on their perspectives on defining “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act and how to implement that definition as the agencies pursue this process. The agencies accepted written recommendations from members of the public. The docket closed on September 3, 2021.