As the Clean Water Act Turns 50, Debate Continues Over Its Scope

Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) 50 years ago to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters, but just which waters it should cover remains the subject of active debate and ongoing rulemaking, with some legal experts questioning whether the Biden administration can provide the desired clarity. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers under multiple administrations have attempted to define through regulation the meaning of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), a...