Water Protection Rules: A Shift in Focus?
The EPA's New Focus
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently revising the rules that determine which waters receive protection under the Clean Water Act, a law that has safeguarded our waters for over 50 years. The EPA's new approach appears to prioritize economic growth over environmental and human health protection.
Potential Impacts
The revised rules could lead to reduced protection for various water bodies, including:
- Streams
- Wetlands
- Ditches
This change might result in increased pollution in areas like Southern California's flood control channels, potentially affecting the Pacific Ocean and local rivers.
The EPA's Two-Part Test
The EPA's new criteria for water protection include:
- Does the water touch another protected water body?
- Does the water have surface water at least during the wet season?
These rules aim to simplify regulations and accelerate economic development, but critics fear they may compromise water quality.
Ditches and Development
The new rules could also alter protections for ditches:
- Currently, ditches connected to rivers or lakes receive protection.
- The revised rules may only protect ditches constructed on dry land.
This change could have significant implications, particularly in states like California, which has over 500 miles of paved flood control channels.
Public and Legal Concerns
Many are unhappy with these changes, arguing that they create more uncertainty, especially in regions like Southern California, where pollution can easily spread between water bodies.
Lawyers and environmental groups are considering legal challenges and hope that Congress will eventually update the Clean Water Act to provide clearer, less confusing rules.
