In the August 4, 2021 Federal Register (WOTUS_Fed Reg_2021-08-04) the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) announced a series of public meetings and roundtables as they develop a revised definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). Per the enclosed notice, there will be two rulemaking steps.
The first rulemaking is referred to as a “foundational rule” that will “restore longstanding protections.” The intent is to “restore the regulations defining WOTUS that were “were in place for decades until 2015, with updates to be consistent with relevant Supreme Court decisions.” The second rulemaking will build “on that regulatory foundation.”
During August 2021 EPA and the ACOE will hold public meetings (via webcast) to hear from interested stakeholders on their perspectives on defining WOTUS. The public meetings will be held on the following dates and times:
August 18, 2021, from 3 pm to 5 pm (ET)
August 23, 2021, from 1 pm to 3 pm (ET)
August 25, 2021, from 3 pm to 5 pm (ET) – this meeting is intended for “small entities”
August 26, 2021, from 6 p. to 8 pm (ET)
August 31, 2021, from 3 pm to 5 pm (ET)
The link below will take you to an EPA website where you can register for one of the public meetings.
https://www.epa.gov/wotus/public-outreach-and-stakeholder-engagement-activities
According to the enclosed Federal Register notice, the agencies also plan to hold ten (10) roundtable sessions around the country. No details have been provided.
The agencies are also accepting written recommendations on the definition of WOTUS up to September 3, 2021. Written recommendations can be submitted to the public docket. You can access public docket at the following link,
and then enter the following: EPA-HQ-OW-2021-0328
