(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Chesapeake Bay Foundation Vice President Lisa Feldt issued this statement today following the EPA announcement proposing to revise the definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule.
"This proposed revision undermines this nation's fundamental clean water protections.
"The new definition would remove federal protections from certain waters and wetlands that aren't otherwise protected by state law. In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, this includes waters in Delaware and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia, which are governed by federal law. Additionally, the revised definition could prevent states with more strict protections, such as Maryland, from holding upstream states accountable for water pollution they allow to cross state lines.
"Clean water is a right, not a luxury. The Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint is working. Now is not the time for the federal government to weaken efforts to reduce pollution."
