Search

New Waters of the US Rule Takes Immediate Effect

Posted on 9/8/2023 by Lion Technology Inc.

Effective September 8, 2023, EPA and the US Army amended the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to re-define ‘‘waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The latest update adjusts provisions that were invalidated by unanimous Supreme Court decision on Sackett v. EPA earlier this year.

The new Final Rule amends EPA's previous WOTUS rule, finalized in January 2023, to adjust details that did not conform to the court's recent Sackett decision. 

Specifically, the agencies revised 40 CFR 120.2 and 33 CFR 328.3.

What Did the Supreme Court Decide in Sackett?

The Sackett v. EPA case began in 2007 when US EPA ordered a property owning family (the Sacketts) to cease development on private land because the property contained wetlands that the agency believed to be protected by the Clean Water Act (due to proximity to a protected lake).

After nearly 16 years, the case concluded, and Justice Alito gave the Court’s current interpretation:

"To determine when a wetland is part of adjacent "waters of the United States,".."waters" may be fairly read to include only wetlands that are "indistinguishable from waters of the United States."

This occurs only when wetlands have "a continuous surface connection to bodies that are 'waters of the United States' in their own right, so that there is no clear demarcation between 'waters' and 'wetlands.'"

Sackett v. EPA. "Slip Opinion." Alito, J. Decided May 25, 2023.  [Emphasis Lion's]


Professionals in industry need a clear definition of "Waters of the United States" they can use to make decisions about compliance. With the long-running Sackett case decided and a new rule in effect now, it seems we may have a definition of WOTUS that is here to stay.

Complete Environmental Regulations Training

Want a clearer idea of how major EPA air, water, and chemical programs all fit together to affect your site's activities? Join in on the next Complete Environmental Regulations Webinar on December 14–15 at Lion.com.

EH&S professionals who attend can identify the regulations that apply to their facility and locate key requirements to achieve compliance with the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to EPCRA, TSCA, Superfund, and more. Prefer to train at your own pace? Try the interactive online course.

Tags: Clean Water Act, environmental compliance, Waters of the United States, WOTUS

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor was very engaging and helped less experienced people understand the concepts.

Steve Gall

Safety Leader

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

This is the best RCRA training I've experienced! I will be visiting Lion training again.

Cynthia L. Logsdon

Principal Environmental Engineer

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!

Stephanie Weathers

SHE Specialist

The online course was well thought out and organized, with good interaction between the student and the course.

Larry Ybarra

Material Release Agent

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide as a quick reference to the most common HAZWOPER questions, and get course recommendations for managers and personnel who are in need of OSHA-required HAZWOPER training.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.