Skip to main content

Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers; Environmental Protection Agency: The Navigable Waters Protection Rule: Definition of "Waters of the United States"

Skip to Highlights

Highlights

GAO reviewed the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers; Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new rule on the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. GAO found that the final rule (1) amends regulations implementing the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251-1387; (2) defines the scope of waters subject to federal regulation under CWA in light of Supreme Court decisions and consistent with Executive Order 13778, February 28, 2017; and (3) interprets the term "waters of the United States"; identifies the four categories of waters that are within the term; identifies those waters and features that are excluded from the term; and defines applicable terms.

Enclosed is our assessment of EPA's compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please contact Shari Brewster, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-6398.

View Decision

Downloads

GAO Contacts

Shirley A. Jones
Managing Associate General Counsel
Office of the General Counsel

Media Inquiries

Sarah Kaczmarek
Managing Director
Office of Public Affairs

Public Inquiries