EPA Tries Again to Narrow Stream, Wetlands Protections

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In an unusual move, the Environmental Protection Agency has released a revised draft of its "Waters of the United States" proposal greatly limiting the streams and wetlands that can be protected by the Clean Water Act. The first attempt was released in late 2025 with a short, 60-day public comment period.

"This is now the fifth effort to define the scope of the waters protected by the Clean Water Act in the past decade. We need Congress' help to get off this merry-go-round at a place that protects our waters, our wildlife and our way of life," said Jim Murphy, the National Wildlife Federation's associate vice president for legal advocacy. "The administration is clearly struggling to craft a rule that will hold up in court while satisfying their donors' desire to effectively scrap these protections wherever possible. One thing is clear: If we don't protect our streams and wetlands the cost of dirtier drinking water and increased flooding will flow downstream to households at a time when most Americans are living paycheck to paycheck."