The EPA and the Corps of Engineers have released a draft scientific report In support of an anticipated proposed rule that would purport to regulate all waters of the U.S. The draft scientific report, titled “Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence” is a compilation of independent peer-reviewed scientific literature that when finalized, is intended to provide the scientific basis for the agencies to clarify their regulatory jurisdiction over all waters of the U.S.
NAR, working closely with industry partners as part of the Waters Advocacy Coalition, has submitted comments to EPA refuting the conclusions of the report and ctitiquing the report's flawed methodology. NAR is also working with the Coalition to conduct an economic imapct analysis of the proposed regulation.
The agencies could issue a final version of the Draft Study and publish a draft rule in the Federal Register in early 2014.