EPA will conduct public information gathering sessions this summer and fall relative to its plans to revisit the navigable waters rule, Radhika Fox told lawmakers during her confirmation hearing to be Radhika Fox's confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to be the assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Water.
She said EPA will seek to learn from the "wisdom, the voice, and the lived, practical experience of people in complying with our rules." That echoes remarks from EPA Administrator Michael Regan who said the agency was seeking to revisit the issue and he also has pledged EPA will not keep the Trump version of the rule in place nor will they return completely to the Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.
"Administrator [Michael] Regan and I want an enduring definition of waters of the U.S., one that can withstand administration changes," she added.
The WOTUS rule was a flashpoint for many in U.S. agriculture and fed the Trump replacement of the rule. Ag interests will be following the process closely to make sure that a return to the Obama-era rule does not unfold.