Clean Water Act rule is subject of Sept. 22 meeting in Worcester

A draft rule to clarify which waters are protected under the Clean Water Act will be the subject of a briefing and discussion held by a working group of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Sept. 22 in Worcester.

The group is seeking input from municipal officials to help the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee in formulating recommendations about the draft rule.

The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jointly released a proposed rule in April to clarify protection under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands.

“Determining Clean Water Act protection for streams and wetlands became confusing and complex following [U.S.] Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006,” the EPA states on its website.

The EPA’s 28-member LGAC, which includes elected and appointed officials of state, local and tribal governments, offers advice to the EPA administrator on issues affecting local governments and small communities.

The MMA and several municipal officials will be participating in the Sept. 22 meeting, including Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty and Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, who is also a member of the EPA’s LGAC.

The meeting will be held at the Worcester Public Library, located at 3 Salem St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To RSVP, contact Fran Eargle at (202) 564-3115 or eargle.frances@epa.gov, and indicate if you plan to testify to the committee.

The public comment period on the proposed rule will close on Oct. 20.

For more information, on the Waters of the U.S. rulemaking, visit http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/wetlands/CWAwaters.cfm.