Author

Charlotte headshot

Charlotte Mitchell Duyshart

Associate Legislative Director, Environment, Energy & Land Use | Gulf States, Counties & Parishes Caucus

Upcoming Events

Related News

“Waters of the United States” is a phrase used in the Clean Water Act (CWA) to determine which waters are subject to federal jurisdiction. The CWA establishes the basic governance structure for pollution of the nation’s surface water, prohibiting the discharge of certain pollutants into “navigable waters,” which are defined as “waters of the United States, including the territorial seas.” However, the term waters of the United States, or WOTUS, is not further defined in the CWA. As such, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – the two agencies responsible for administering the CWA – have defined WOTUS in regulations.

The definition of WOTUS directly impacts county governments as owners and operators of local infrastructure. Counties are responsible for public safety water conveyances, municipal separate stormwater sewer systems (MS4), green infrastructure construction and maintenance projects, water reuse infrastructure and emergency management systems. Depending on whether a certain water meets the definition of WOTUS, counties may need to apply for a federal permit to maintain or build new infrastructure projects.

View Analysis

Related News

Thermal power plant burning coal fossil fuel for production of electrical energy. Kingston power station in Roane County, Tennessee
Advocacy

DOI, DOE and the EPA announce new funding and regulatory measures to support U.S. coal industry

On September 29, the U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI), Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced coordinated actions to expand domestic coal production and coal-fired energy generation. 

Personal perspective of man filling a glass of filtered water right from the tap in the kitchen at home
Advocacy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces it will uphold 2024 PFAS CERCLA rule

On September 17, the EPA announced that the agency will uphold the 2024 rule designating two types of PFAS as hazardous under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. 

Huge flocks of migrating snow geese take flight at sunrise
Advocacy

DOI announces millions for multiple wetlands conservation programs

On September 18, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced $54 million in land acquisitions for waterfowl habitat conservation through a program administered by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. The conservation actions add onto an August 4 announcement of $102.9 million in grant-based funding under a separate program administered by the Commission for the conservation of critical wetlands ecosystems and migratory bird habitat through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.