咨询866-873-8050
联系我们

新的通航水域Protection Rule Takes Effect June 22

In April 2020, the USACE and EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register entitled “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” (NWPR.)改进了美国水域的定义(Wotus.) and jurisdictional wetlands under the Clean Water Act (CWA). When the CWA was passed in the early 1970s with the objective to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity” of the nation’s waters, Congress explained how to define those waters. Recognizing WOTUS has been left to executive branch agencies, in particular the EPA and USACE, and to federal courts. As a result, the definition of WOTUS has undergone frequent changes in the nearly 50-year history of the CWA. The latest change took effect this week, effective on June 22, 2020.

新的NWPR定义了四类联邦监管水域和湿地,12类不受CWA规定的规定。四类Wotus和湿地是:

  1. The territorial seas and traditional navigable waters.
  2. Perennial and intermittent tributaries to those waters.
  3. Certain lakes, ponds, and impoundments.
  4. 毗邻司法管辖区的湿地。

不包括在CWA下不受监管的被排除的水体和特征是:

  1. 不包含在上面列出的四类“水域”的“水域”中的水上含水层。
  2. Groundwater, including groundwater drained through subsurface drainage systems, such as drains in agricultural lands.
  3. 短暂的特征,包括短暂的流,萨尔斯,沟渠,橄榄球菌和池。
  4. 弥漫雨水径流和向上定向纸张流量。
  5. Many farm and roadside ditches.
  6. Prior converted cropland.
  7. 人工灌溉区域,包括用于农业生产的田地,这将恢复到高地应该将灌溉水施加到该区域停止。
  8. 人造湖泊和池塘,包括储水水库和农场,灌溉,库存浇水,以及在高地或非司法管辖区内建造或挖掘的日志清洁池。
  9. 在高地或非司法管辖区内构建或挖掘的充满水洼地,以及在高地或非司法水域中挖掘的坑,用于获得填充,沙子或砾石。
  10. Stormwater control features excavated or constructed in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters to convey, treat, infiltrate, or store stormwater run-off.
  11. 地下水充电,水再利用和废水回收结构,包括拘留,保留和渗透盆地和池塘,这些盆地在高地或非司法管辖区内构建。
  12. Waste treatment systems, which have been excluded from the definition of “Waters of the United States” since 1979, will continue to be excluded under the final rule. Waste treatment systems are defined for the first time in this rule.

新规则中最显着的变化是排除短暂的流,并通过延伸,湿地,只能通过短暂的流媒体连接到下游水域。从历史上看,根据“制定清洁水法的法规”,任何具有可定定的床,银行和普通高水位(OHWM)的流被认为是Wotus。现在,NWPR将短期流与间歇性和多年生流分开。短暂的流是仅响应沉淀或雪熔体而仅流动的水硬化。它们的流动不是连续的,并且在生长季节的部分期间,通道中可能没有流动的水。间歇性流也不连续地流动,但与短暂的流相比,间歇物流的流动包括沉淀和雪光,以及地下水的贡献。间歇流的通道拦截了至少一年的地下水位,并且该水表有助于流的表面流动。多年生溪流持续全年流动,从降水,雪花,地下水和支流流中接收输入。

NWPR使沃特鲁斯更加复杂。根据之前的规则,如果一条溪流有可定定的床和银行,那是一个受管制的水体,无论它在任何给定时间都有水。在新规则下,流动的流可以是响应于沉淀的递送水的短炼料流,或者它可以是地下水支撑的间歇或多年生的流。干式流床可以是短氧气流,或者它可以是水位暂时过低的间歇流,不能在流床中提供排出。

新规则如何影响以前发布核准的司法管辖区确定?

Approved Jurisdictional Determinations (or AJDs) that were issued under the 2015 Clean Water Act Rule will remain valid for five years after the issuance date. Project proposers and landowners can request a revised AJD under the new rule, if they desire. A revised AJD may find some isolated wetlands to be non-jurisdictional under the new rule, however local and State regulations should also be considered to determine if a revised AJD request would be beneficial.

Local & State Regulations

Several states and local government units impose additional protections on wetlands, streams, and other aquatic features that are separate from federal regulations. These regulations vary by location and often overlap with local and state regulations but require different permitting and approval process and timelines. Early planning and consideration of these aquatic resources should be discussed with an environmental professional to determine the best approach in achieving your project goals while adhering to all applicable water resource regulations.

Braun Intertec has experienced scientists that perform wetland delineations, can distinguish between regulated and non-regulated wetlands and streams, and can assist clients in working with regulatory agencies to meet permitting requirements and project timelines.

联系我们的环境顾问

如果您对新的NWPR或本地法规有任何疑问,请给我们通话或点击下面的链接填写我们的联系我们表格。