Gregory M. Munson, a government affairs and environmental law attorney in Gunster's Tallahassee office, wrote about Florida and the Clean Water Act in the December issue of the Florida Water Resources Journal.
In his commentary, Munson describes the history of defining which water bodies are considered "waters of the United States," otherwise known as the WOTUS rule. The definition is important, he points out, because the Clean Water Act applies to all such waters.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Army are working to revise the WOTUS rule definition, in accordance with an executive order from President Trump.
To that end, public comments from stakeholders and discussion on the topic was sought via public meetings and teleconferences, and the submission of recommendations in the fall of 2017.
Because Florida has a considerable amount of wetlands, a good number of property owners may be affected by the WOTUS rule and should take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the process, Munson says.
Visit the EPA website at www.epa.gov/wotus-rule for the proposed rule, written recommendations submitted, and more. Contact Greg Munson if you have any questions about how this may apply to you or your business.
Read Munson's article: Florida and the Clean Water Act (p.4, December 2017 issue, Florida Water Resources Journal)
