Proposed Changes to the Clean Water Act Would Imperil Waters of Delmarva

On December 11, 2018, the EPA and Department of the Army proposed a new definition of "waters of the United States" that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Essentially, this move gives polluters a free pass by eliminating the laws and standards that control their pollution. If this definition is finalized, untreated pollution can be discharged into waters across the United States without meeting any of the Clean Water Act’s permitting and treatment standards.

The Trump administration wants to strip lakes, streams, and other waterways around the country from protection by the Clean Water Act. The change would leave some of the nation’s iconic waters vulnerable to pollution. This latest proposal by the administration would remove many Clean Water Act protections to the Coastal Bays and coastal watersheds of Delmarva.

This rollback of current protections under the Clean Water Act could spell disaster for our coastal watershed. If wetlands, upland wetlands, and small streams that help to absorb stormwater after heavy rains are allowed to be indiscriminately filled in for development, we will be faced with greater and greater flooding events in our low-lying coastal areas.

We are urging our community to let the EPA know that we do not want these clean water protections rolled back, and that if the Clean Water Act is weakened, waterways, upland wetlands, and marshes across the country and those across Delmarva will be placed at significant risk. The EPA has opened a public comment period that will remain open until April 15, 2019.

It is critical that your comments are submitted to protect the waters resources of Delmarva. Comments can be submitted HERE.

Learn more about the EPA's proposed rollback to the Clean Water Act HERE.