The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule that would give states, territories and tribes the ability to defend water resources against harmful development.
While local jurisdictions previously had the ability to protect important water resources, policies created under former President Donald Trump stripped this authority away, the EPA reported in a release. The new rules would restore this authority.
"For 50 years, the Clean Water Act has protected water resources that are essential to thriving communities, vibrant ecosystems, and sustainable economic growth," EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in the release. "EPA's proposed rule builds on this foundation by empowering states, territories, and Tribes to use Congressionally granted authority to protect precious water resources while supporting much-needed infrastructure projects that create jobs and bolster our economy."
Several politicians and officials made statements in support of the EPA's proposal for strengthening the Clean Water Act, which was first introduced in 1971, the EPA reported.
"This marks yet another step the Biden Administration has taken to reverse the harmful polices of the Trump era and to uphold the Clean Water Act," Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said in the release. "The Section 401 process is a prime example of states and the federal government working together to protect clean water while keeping local expertise in the driver's seat. The proposed rulemaking reinstates our bipartisan commitment to clean water with policies that protect, not pillage, our most precious natural resources."
The EPA is accepting comments from the public on the new rule, which can be submitted until Aug. 8, the EPA reported. There will also be a virtual public hearing on July 18.
Native American tribes are among the entities that will benefit from the new rule, the EPA reported.
"The CWA Section 401 certifications serve as the first and sometimes the only line of defense protecting tribal waters from pollutant discharge flowing within and on to our reservation lands," National Tribal Water Council Chairman Ken Norton said. "A strengthening of the 401 certification rule serves to protect our tribal nations' water and cultural values."
