Sierra Club Statement on EPA’s “Waters of the United States” Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Friday, December 30th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule which defines the various types of waters which fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act in a way that will preserve protections that have been in place for decades.

This move reverses the Trump administration’s attempt to redefine “Waters of the United States” in order to restrict which waters are protected under the federal Clean Water Act, one of the country’s most critical bedrock environmental laws.

In response, Sierra Club Clean Water Director Beth Roach issued the following statement:

"Friday’s rule is an important step toward restoring protections for waters critical to our communities and our health. For years, big polluters like the oil and gas industry and their pro-polluter conspirators in Congress have been trying to chip away and gut our bedrock environmental and public health protections in the name of profit for the wealthy few. They are creating water pollution and water crises in their wake, of which low-income communities and communities of color bear the biggest brunt. 

“Enough is enough. Today’s rule pumps the brakes on one of the favorite strategies of big polluters and the Trump Administration: limiting the definition of ‘Waters of the United States’ under the Clean Water Act. 

“The Sierra Club applauds the Biden administration for their commitment to increasing access to clean, safe, and reliable water. Water is one of our most critical public resources, and the health and safety of our communities depend on it. Where someone lives or the color of their skin should never determine their access to their fundamental human rights, and the Sierra Club will not  stop the fight for clean water for all. We still have so far to go, but Friday's ruling is a critical step forward and a win for the public.”