On May 27, the EPA and the U.S. Army finalized the Clean Water Rule, which was created to clearly protect streams and wetlands from pollution and degradation. According to a press release from the EPA, the rule:Clearly defines and protects tributaries that impact the health of downstream waters. The Clean Water Act protects navigable waterways and their tributaries. The rule says a tributary must show physical features of flowing water — a bed, bank and ordinary high water mark — to warrant protection.
Provides certainty in how far safeguards extend to nearby waters. The rule protects waters that are next to rivers
