In April 2020, the USACE and EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register entitled “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” (NWPR公司)这完善了美国水域的定义(沃图斯) and jurisdictional wetlands under the Clean Water Act (CWA). When the CWA was passed in the early 1970s with the objective to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity” of the nation’s waters, Congress explained how to define those waters. Recognizing WOTUS has been left to executive branch agencies, in particular the EPA and USACE, and to federal courts. As a result, the definition of WOTUS has undergone frequent changes in the nearly 50-year history of the CWA. The latest change took effect this week, effective on June 22, 2020.

新的NWPR定义了四类联邦监管的水域和湿地，以及12类不受CWA监管的除外责任。湿地分为四类：

1. The territorial seas and traditional navigable waters.
2. Perennial and intermittent tributaries to those waters.
3. Certain lakes, ponds, and impoundments.
4. 毗邻管辖水域的湿地。

《禁止化学武器公约》未规定的除外水体和特征包括：

1. 不属于上述四类“美国水域”的水体。
2. Groundwater, including groundwater drained through subsurface drainage systems, such as drains in agricultural lands.
3. 短暂的特征，包括短暂的溪流、洼地、冲沟、细沟和池塘。
4. 在高地上扩散雨水径流和定向片状流。
5. Many farm and roadside ditches.
6. Prior converted cropland.
7. 人工灌溉的地区，包括因农业生产而被淹没的农田，如果停止对该地区的灌溉用水，这些地区将恢复为高地。
8. 在高地或非管辖水域建造或挖掘的人工湖泊和池塘，包括蓄水水库和农场、灌溉、牲畜浇灌和原木清理池塘。
9. 在高地或非管辖水域建造或挖掘的充满水的洼地（采矿或施工活动附带的），以及在高地或非管辖水域挖掘的坑（用于获取填料、砂或砾石）。
10. Stormwater control features excavated or constructed in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters to convey, treat, infiltrate, or store stormwater run-off.
11. 在高地或非管辖水域建造的地下水补给、水再利用和废水回收结构，包括滞留、滞留和渗透盆地和池塘。
12. Waste treatment systems, which have been excluded from the definition of “Waters of the United States” since 1979, will continue to be excluded under the final rule. Waste treatment systems are defined for the first time in this rule.

新规则中最显著的变化是排除了短命溪流，并延伸至仅通过短命溪流与下游水域相连的湿地。历史上，根据制定《清洁水法》的法规，任何具有可定义河床、河岸和普通高水位线（OHWM）的河流都被视为WOTUS。现在，NWPR将短命河流与间歇和常年河流分开。短暂的溪流是只对降水或融雪作出反应的水体。它们的水流是不连续的，在生长季节的某些时候，渠道中可能没有流动的水。间歇流也不连续地流动，但与短暂流不同的是，间歇流的流动包括降水和融雪，以及地下水的贡献。断续溪流的河道至少在一年中的一部分时间拦截地下水位，而地下水位对溪流的地表水流有贡献。常年性河流常年不断地流动，并接受来自降水、融雪、地下水和支流的输入。

NWPR使WOTUS的测定更加复杂。根据以前的规则，如果一条河流有一个可定义的河床和堤岸，那么它就是一个受管制的水体，不管它在任何给定的时间是否有流动的水。根据新规则，流动的溪流可以是一条因降水而携带水的短暂溪流，也可以是由地下水支撑的间歇或常年溪流。干河床可以是短暂的河流，也可以是地下水位暂时过低，无法向河床排放水的间歇河流。

新规则如何影响先前发布的核准管辖决定？

Approved Jurisdictional Determinations (or AJDs) that were issued under the 2015 Clean Water Act Rule will remain valid for five years after the issuance date. Project proposers and landowners can request a revised AJD under the new rule, if they desire. A revised AJD may find some isolated wetlands to be non-jurisdictional under the new rule, however local and State regulations should also be considered to determine if a revised AJD request would be beneficial.

Local & State Regulations

Several states and local government units impose additional protections on wetlands, streams, and other aquatic features that are separate from federal regulations. These regulations vary by location and often overlap with local and state regulations but require different permitting and approval process and timelines. Early planning and consideration of these aquatic resources should be discussed with an environmental professional to determine the best approach in achieving your project goals while adhering to all applicable water resource regulations.

Braun Intertec has experienced scientists that perform wetland delineations, can distinguish between regulated and non-regulated wetlands and streams, and can assist clients in working with regulatory agencies to meet permitting requirements and project timelines.

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