On February 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced the selection of ten geographically varied roundtables with participants representing diverse perspectives. The agencies will work with each selected roundtable to facilitate discussion on implementation of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), while highlighting regional differences.
“EPA and Army are committed to listening to all sides and working to foster
a common-ground approach to WOTUS that protects our environment and is
informed by the experience of those who steward our waters day-in and
day-out,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Through
these regional roundtables, we will work toward a shared understanding of
the challenges and opportunities to enhance WOTUS implementation to support
public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic
growth.”
“The Department of the Army, together with the EPA, is committed to gaining
a better understanding of the various regional perspectives through these
roundtables to develop an implementation approach that accounts for these
diverse voices and regional variations,” said Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Civil Works Michael L. Connor. “In addition, the Army hopes to
identify implementation considerations and tools that could assist in
effective, consistent, and efficient implementation across the nation.”
EPA and Army are announcing the selection of ten roundtables that highlight
geographic differences and a range of perspectives—including agriculture,
conservation groups, developers, drinking water and wastewater managers,
environmental organizations, communities with environmental justice
concerns, industry, Tribal nations, and state and local governments. The ten
selected roundtables are:
* Amigos Bravos (Southwest)
* Arizona Farm Bureau (Southwest)
* Cahaba Brewing (Southeast)
* California Farm Bureau (West)
* Kansas Livestock Association (Midwest)
* Natural Resources Defense Council (Northeast)
* National Parks Conservation Association (Midwest)
* North Carolina Farm Bureau (Southeast)
* Regenerative Agriculture Foundation (Midwest)
* Wyoming County Commissioners Association / Montana Association of
Counties / Idaho Association of Counties (West)
These regional roundtables are one important mechanism for the agencies to
consider the regional variation in implementation of WOTUS, given the
diverse water quality and quantity conditions in diverse parts of the United
States. The regional roundtables will provide opportunities to discuss
geographic similarities and differences, particular water resources that are
characteristic of or unique to each region, and site-specific feedback about
the ongoing implementation of WOTUS by the agencies. The agencies anticipate
hosting these regional roundtables virtually over the spring and summer.
The agencies most recently concluded a public comment period on the proposed
rule to re-establish the pre-2015 definition of WOTUS that had been in place
for decades, updated to reflect consideration of Supreme Court decisions.
The agencies also hosted public hearings on the proposed rule. Prior to
proposal, the agencies requested written comments, hosted listening
sessions, and conducted Federalism consultation with state and local
governments. In addition, the agencies participated in a roundtable
organized by the Small Business Administration.
For more information visit:
www.epa.gov/wotus