The Trump administration announced a proposal Monday, Nov. 17, that would significantly limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate pollution in wetlands, rivers, and streams. The rule would exclude many waterways that flow only seasonally or after it rains from federal protection under the Clean Water Act. While this would benefit businesses, real estate developers and more, it would harm anyone who recreates in or drinks water.
Environmental groups warn the change could remove safeguards from up to 55 million acres of wetlands, roughly 85 percent of the nation’s total, threatening drinking water sources and increasing flood risks. “The administration is preparing to rip away protections from the vast majority of wetlands in the United States,” said Andrew Wetzler of the NRDC.
The proposal stems from the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA, which limited federal oversight to wetlands with a “continuous surface connection” to a “relatively permanent” water source. The administration now defines “relatively permanent” as flowing year-round or during a wet season — excluding thousands of smaller streams that feed major drinking-water systems.
Conservation groups argue the rule will lead to more pollution and higher water treatment costs. Industry groups, including home builders, farmers, and developers, strongly support the proposal, saying it will reduce burdensome permitting requirements and lower construction expenses.
The rule will undergo a 45-day public comment period once published in the Federal Register.
Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/climate/epa-curbs-protections-for-wetlands.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20251118&instance_id=166653&nl=the-morning®i_id=76436517&segment_id=210819&user_id=5fbe01eef6d227b259af1eb3685b4e1b