EPA Finalizes Controversial Clean Water Rule

The EPA's Clean Water Rule has been over a year in the making. Find out what it includes and why some opponents consider it an overreach of federal power.

Apr 22, 2015 | by Doug Day |

Istock 000045179614Medium W500 — The Clean Water Rule was intended to clear up confusion and uncertainty brought on by various court ruling on challenges to the 1972 Clean Water Act that put into doubt what waters were under jurisdiction of the law.

The Clean Water Rule attempts to better define which bodies of water are subject to the Clean Water Act. Opponents call it a federal land grab; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the rule reduces the scope of waters under its jurisdiction.The regulation has been the subject of strong criticism since first proposed in 2014. It was delivered in its final form to the White House Office of Management and Budget on April 6.The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, however, was quick to object. On April 17, the committee endorsed a bill requiring repeal of the measure by a vote

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