EPA Releases Proposed Rule on WOTUS

Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt issued a proposed rule on Friday to clarify the administration's intent of repealing the Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, a signature element of President Donald Trump's deregulation agenda."We are making it clear that we are proposing to permanently and completely repeal the 2015 WOTUS rule and keep the pre-2015 regulatory framework in place as we work on a new, improved WOTUS definition," Pruitt said in a statement.The proposal requests comment on the legal basis of the 2015 Obama-era WOTUS rule, which EPA and the Army Corps "believe has led to uncertainty and confusion across the country," EPA said in a statement.EPA and Army Corps proposed the rule together. The proposal would give more time for the public and industry to provide feedback on the administration's plan to roll back the previous administration's water rule.