On December 29th, the Biden administration signed off on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations to protect small streams, wetlands, and waterways as part of the Clean Water Act, just before the end of 2022. This action repealed the Trump-era regulations that made many waterways susceptible to pollution and were thrown out by federal courts.
The revised rules define what types of water bodies are protected under the Clean Water Act and were based on definitions that were put in place before 2015 during the Obama administration. The new definition is more expansive than the Trump-era definition and includes all waters within four categories – territorial seas, interstate waters, intrastate lakes and rivers, and wetlands adjacent to other waters. This means that thousands of miles of streams in the US are now eligible for protection under the act.
The EPA’s new regulations will greatly benefit businesses by protecting their operations from potentially hazardous pollutants. Businesses that rely heavily on clean water for their operations could experience significant cost savings by avoiding costly cleanup efforts or damage caused by polluted water sources. Furthermore, businesses can now benefit from additional incentives offered by state governments for utilizing clean water sources in their operations or installations.
The Biden administration has also taken steps to ensure that citizens are not negatively impacted by these new rules. The EPA has established an Office of Small Dischargers Compliance Assistance to provide guidance and resources to help small businesses comply with the Clean Water Act’s requirements. Additionally, states have been given flexibility when it comes to implementing these rules so that they can tailor them to meet local needs while still meeting national standards.
Some people are stating that the Biden administration has overstepped by reinstating the Obama-era Clean Water Act regulations. They are worried that businesses will not do as they should, and could harm our water sources. While others are saying it will help ensure clean water sources are available for future generations while providing incentives for businesses to utilize clean water sources in their operations or installations. What do you think?
