Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends and modifies requirements under the Clean Water Act, including requirements concerning water quality criteria, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, the permit program for discharging dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, and the meaning of waters of the United States.

Highlights:

• Amends and modifies requirements under the Clean Water Act, including requirements concerning water quality criteria, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, the permit program for discharging dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, and the meaning of waters of the United States (Sec. 2-8).

• Authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop new and revised water quality criteria for states through the implementation of new rules and regulations (Sec. 2-8).

• Amends the NPDES program, including providing statutory authority for provisions that shield NPDES permit holders from liability under certain circumstances, as well as for the EPA to issue general permits (Sec. 2-8).

• Requires the EPA to provide written notification 2 years before the expiration of a general permit, and specifies that if notice is not provided by that deadline, then discharges under the expired permit may continue until a new permit is issued (Sec. 2-8).

• Amends the permitting program under the EPA and the U.S. Corps of Engineers that regulates the discharge or dredged or filled material into waters of the United States (Sec. 2-8).

• Limits the EPA’s veto authority to restrict, prohibit, deny, or withdraw the specification by the Corps of a site for a discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States (Sec. 2-8).

• Amends requirements for general permits to discharge dredge or fill material that are issued on a nationwide, regional, or state basis for particular categories of activities, including by extending the maximum term for a general permit from a period of 5 to 10 years (Sec. 2-8).

• Exempts the Corps from certain consultation and environmental review requirements when reissuing nationwide general permits (Sec. 2-8).

• Requires the EPA and Corps to begin a process to issue guidance on the implementation of the 2023 final rule titled “Revised Definition of Waters of the United States” (Sec. ).

• Specifies that conforming and Stipulating the guidance must comply with the decision of the Supreme Court in Sackett v. EPA (Sec. 2-8).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text