-
The courts, the EPA and the Clean Water Rule: where we stand now
What is happening: On Oct. 21, a federal district court overturned and invalidated a Trump-era regulation that eroded state and Tribal authority to protect water quality. The now invalidated “2020 Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule” (2020 Rule) gutted (or imposed significant revisions to) Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, a regulatory tool…
-
Helping trout and helping America
As he was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States this week, Joe Biden made a powerful call for unity as the necessary foundation for tackling our nation’s challenges. Many celebrate and welcome the change. Others are angry and frustrated. Here is what I wrote four years ago when President Trump was…
-
Four areas where a new administration can help trout and salmon
On his first day, President Joe Biden unveiled an executive order aimed at confronting climate change and conserving natural resources. A number of the actions identified in the order are Trout Unlimited priorities as we engage in the federal decision-making process on behalf of trout and salmon. The executive order, Protecting Public Health and the…
-
Clean Water Rule Update: April 2020
Administration weakens the Clean Water Act. Here's how you can help advocate for our streams. On April 21st, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a final “Waters of the U.S. Rule.” This rule replaces a 2015 Rule, which clarified the extent of Clean Water Act protections for small streams and…
-
Changes to the Clean Water Rule have big impacts on the ground
High in the headwaters of Back Creek in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are several small streams that only run after it rains. Those “ephemeral” tributaries to Back Creek, a wild brook trout stream that also holds browns and rainbows, intersect with the proposed 600-mile route of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a project that…
-
Clean Water Rule Update: January 2020
Final rule announced; what it says and what comes next. Final Rule Announced. On January 23rd, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced a final “Waters of the U.S. Rule.” This rule replaces a 2015 Rule, which clarified the extent of jurisdictions for clean water act protections. This new…
-
The Clean Water Act: An American success story
Editor's note: This column was originally published in the Washington Post on Sept. 23, 2019 The announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency was scrapping Obama-era rules designed to protect small streams and wetlands made me recall a misty morning this spring on the Potomac River above Georgetown. I brought a striped bass, locally known as…
Tag