Critics Question Data Used In Rule Replacing Obama Water Protections

"Critics say the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) water policy unveiled Thursday is one of the biggest rollbacks to water policy in decades, but it’s tough to know the extent of its impact because of challenges that come with mapping America’s waterways.

“I’ve never seen an EPA regulation so utterly divorced from the facts and so apparently uninterested in developing them,” said Jon Devine, the Natural Resources Defense Council’s director of federal water policy.

The new rule limits the small streams and waterbodies covered by the Clean Water Act, raising fears that an increased amount of pesticides and other industrial chemicals will be able to enter streams, wetlands and underground water sources."

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill January 24, 2020.

SEE ALSO:

"EPA Scientists Slam Trump’s Waters Rule Rewrite" (Bloomberg Environment)

"EPA Science Advisory Board Criticizes WOTUS Proposal" (Agri-Pulse)

"Aquatic Scientists Criticize Revised Definition Of Waters Of The U.S." (Consortium of Aquatic Science Societies release)

"WOTUS Review Stumps Advisers: 'The Science Isn't Right'" (Greenwire)