The EPA is facing heavy criticism from Republican lawmakers, states, and industry groups for its “slow response” to the Supreme Court’s Ruling in Sackett v. EPA. After the ruling, which set out parameters for defining “waters of the United States,” the Army Corps of Engineers has ceased issuing jurisdictional determinations, which effectively halts the issuance of new 404 Permits.

Industry groups have urged the EPA to issue an emergency rule in keeping with the Sackett decision on an expedited basis in order to allow the Corps to resume issuance of jurisdictional determinations. The Biden administration, however, appears to be keeping to its previously announced plan to surgically amend the WOTUS definition it finalized earlier this year with a final rule that incorporates the Sackett precedent targeted for September of this year. For more information, please contact one of the attorneys in SGR’s Environmental Practice.