Industry believes Clean Water Act needs longer comment period

In late April, the U.S. EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jointly released a proposed rule to clarify protection under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands. The proposed expansion of the definition "waters of the U.S." under the Clean Water Act would subject all waters to regulation, including man-made water bodies, rights-of-way, golf course ponds, ditches and flood plains. As written, the rule would impact every pesticide and fertilizer application, and require permits for professionals, landowners and homeowners, even on private property, according to RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment).

The definition in this proposed rule change is so wide that it includes almost any body of water. Read more about the proposal here.

The comment period was originally set to expire July 21, 2014. However, industry groups are urging business owners to ask for a 90-day comment period extension.

RISE released a sample extension request.

INSERT DATE
 
Submitted electronically via regulations.gov
 
Ms. Donna Downing
Jurisdiction Team Leader, Wetlands Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
 
Ms. Stacey Jensen
Regulatory Community of Practice
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20314
 
Attention: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-2011-0880
 
Re: Request for Extension of Comment Period on EPA and Corps Proposed Rule Defining "Waters of the United States" Under the Clean Water Act,
 
Dear Ms. Downing and Ms. Jensen:
 
I am a [insert personal description, i.e.: PCO, landscape contractor, parent...] and clean water is very important to me.  Your proposed rule is a significant expansion of the Clean Water Act that will affect every American, and have significant impact on my business and community due to the proposed increased jurisdiction over all waters.  Due to the proposed rule's complexity, additional time is needed for me to review and respond to the rule and all its implications for my business, community and state.
 
I am respectfully requesting an extension of the public comment period, for an additional 90 days, on the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Proposed Rule Defining "Waters of the United States" Under the Clean Water Act.  76 Fed. Reg. 22,188 (Apr. 21, 2014).
 
 
Sincerely,
 
[insert name]

To submit the letter, follow these rules:

Write your letter and submit your request for extension by commenting in the Federal Register at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0880-0001.
 
Or you can email ow-docket@epa.gov, including EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0880 in the subject line of the message.