EPA issues new guidelines for wetlands, streams and more

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army are issuing revised guidance to ensure wetlands, streams and other waters are better protected under the Clean Water Act. The guidance clarifies the geographic scope of jurisdiction under the act. The revised guidance replaces previous policy issued in June 2007 and clarifies a June 2006 Supreme Court decision in Rapanos vs. U.S. regarding the scope of the agencies’ jurisdiction under the act. The guidance follows the agencies’ evaluation of more than 18,000 jurisdictional determinations and review of more than 66,000 comments. For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/CWAwaters.html.