Letters of Comment
SWS issues comment letter on the USACE proposal to reissue and modify nationwide permits
SWS Membership Benefits The recent USACE proposal to Reissue and Modify Nationwide Permits (85 FR 179; Docket ID No. COE-2020-0002) was published in the Federal Register on September 15, 2020 with an invitation to submit comments. The proposal includes off-cycle reissuance of existing NWPs, changes to the associated general conditions and definitions, and five proposed…
Read MoreCounty of Maui v. Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund amici brief featured in PBS NOVA podcast
SWS Membership Benefits SWS’ Royal Gardner and his team of attorneys, as well as many of our members and members of our aquatic society partners, played a role in preparation of an amici brief cited earlier this year in the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion in County of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund. On April 23, 2020, SCOTUS ruled…
Read MoreWOTUS Rulings – Good news in Colorado and disappointing news in California
SWS Membership Benefits Colorado Some good news: the rule appears to be enjoined in Colorado (where judge did not permit amici briefs): https://www.bloomberglaw.com/public/desktop/document/StateofColoradoThevUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyetalDocketNo120/4?1592664339 California The Court denied the motion for a preliminary injunction, and the Navigable Waters Protection Rule will go into effect on Monday. Here is the order: https://sws.org/images/pdfs/CA_v_Wheeler_PI_decision.pdf Categories Biofuel CASS Chapter News Clean Water…
Read MoreNew proposed rule posted, comment period ends April 15
SWS Membership Benefits The revised WOTUS Definition Proposed by the Engineers Corps and the Environmental Protection Agency was posted to the Federal Register on February 14. The document has a comment period that ends April 15, 2019. SWS WOTUS Comment Letter Science Societies WOTUS Comment Letter Request for 200-day Comment Period Categories Biofuel CASS Chapter News Clean…
Read MoreSWS and Scientific Societies comment on EPA proposed Rule to update Clean Water Act regulations on water quality certification
SWS Membership Benefits SWS and eight other scientific societies submitted comment letters on October 21, 2019 in opposition to the EPA’s proposed rule “Updating Regulations on Water Quality Certification” https://www.epa.gov/cwa-401/updating-regulations-water-quality-certification. The proposed rule provides no scientific basis for how it would contribute to upholding the mandate of the Clean Water Act to restore and maintain the…
Read MoreSWS WOTUS comment letter
SWS Membership Benefits Dear Administrator Wheeler and Mr. James, On behalf of the Society of Wetland Scientists and representing 3,000+ wetland and aquatic science professionals, we respectfully submit the following comments in response to your solicitation regarding the proposed Rule “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States” (proposed Rule) (84 FR 4154; Docket ID…
Read MoreScience Societies WOTUS Comment Letter
SWS Membership Benefits Dear Administrator Wheeler and Assistant Secretary James: On behalf of the undersigned science societies, we respectfully submit the following comments in response to the proposed Rule “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States” (proposed Rule) (84 FR 4154; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0149), published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2019.The…
Read MoreRequest for 200-day comment period
SWS Membership Benefits Dear Administrator Wheeler, On behalf of the Society of Wetland Scientists, representing approximately 3000 members, we respectfully request that EPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers extend the public comment period from 60 days to a minimum of 200 days in length for the proposed rule “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of…
Read MoreAnother amicus curiae brief in support of Clean Water Rule is filed on behalf of the Society of Wetland Scientists
SWS Membership Benefits Interests of the Amicus Curiae The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) is a leading professional association of wetland and aquatic scientists around the world, including the United States. Established in 1980, SWS advances scientific and educational objectives related to wetland science and encourages professional standards in all activities related to wetland science.…
Read MoreSWS files amicus brief in Clean Water Rule suspension case
SWS Membership Benefits On Monday, the Society of Wetland Scientists filed an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to emphasize the importance of science in agency rulemakings. Several states and organizations have filed suit against the Trump administration for the suspension of the Clean Water Rule. The SWS…
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