Identifying Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act: The Impact on Aerial Application

摘要

Despite decades of trying, lawmakers continue to struggle to identify which waterbodies are subject to Clean Water Act (CWA) regulations. All agree that rivers, lakes, wetlands and other "waters of the U.S." (WOTUS) supply critical drinking water, irrigation, recreation, storm water control and industrial uses to society, while also providing critical aquatic ecosystems to wildlife. Yet, in the 40 years since CWA enactment, government agencies, Congress and stakeholders still disagree over how best to balance the competing needs of society and nature with regard to regulations implementing the CWA.