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Local Government Advisory Committee Weighs in on Proposed Water Rule

Release Date: 09/30/2014
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

BOSTON – EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) held a workgroup meeting recently in Worcester, Mass. to provide input and feedback EPA’s proposed rule clarifying Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction.

The public meeting gave local officials and stakeholders the opportunity to express their concerns and ideas to LGAC’s Protecting America’s Waters Workgroup, which will then work with the full committee to develop formal recommendations to EPA.

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy has charged the LGAC to give advice and recommendations on important issues affecting local elected and appointed officials. Previously, the LGAC has made formal recommendations to EPA on issues ranging from climate change resiliency and air quality to worker protection standards.

EPA’s proposed rule clarifies protection for streams and wetlands. The proposed definitions of waters will apply to all Clean Water Act programs. The proposed rule, released on Mar. 25, 2014, is of interest to local officials who are often in charge of implementing CWA provisions in municipalities and other jurisdictions. Due to the scope of the proposed rule, the public comment period was recently extended by an additional 90 days to Oct. 20, 2014.

The purpose of the LGAC is to provide advice and recommendations that assist EPA in developing a stronger partnership with local governments, as well as build state and local capacity to deliver environmental services and programs. The ultimate goal of the LGAC is to provide the citizens of the nation with more efficient and effective environmental protection at the community, state and federal level.

More information:

- EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. rule https://www.epa.gov/uswaters

- EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee: https://www.epa.gov/ocir/scas_lgac/lgac_index.htm

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