EPA Scales Back Clean Water Act, Citing Supreme Court Ruling

On November 17, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed its plans to redefine the scope of the Clean Water Act, significantly reducing the wetlands it covers. The new "Waters of the United States" rule, set to be finalized in the coming months, will focus federal jurisdiction on permanent, standing bodies of water like streams, oceans, rivers, and lakes, along with wetlands directly connected to them.

The EPA says this change, which builds on a 2023 Supreme Court ruling in the Sackett v. EPA case, will help accelerate economic growth while still protecting vital water resources. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, a former Republican congressman, claims the proposal is not driven by ideology but aims to create a "clear, simple, prescriptive rule" aligned with the Supreme Court's direction.

However, environmentalists have strongly criticized the move, warning it will "destroy thousands of miles of waterways" and "wipe out life-sustaining waterways" across the country. They argue the rule is a political gift to industries that support the Trump administration, which has sought to roll back numerous environmental regulations.

Zeldin maintains the change responds to concerns from farmers, ranchers, and other landowners who have struggled with the uncertainty of past water regulations. He says the new rule will provide much-needed clarity, while any lands removed from federal jurisdiction will still face state and tribal oversight.