17 November 2025 - EPA & the Army announce proposed rule for updated definition of "Waters of the United States"

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Published Nov. 19, 2025

Definition to Protect Water Resources, Accelerate Growth & Economic Opportunity 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, together with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, today announced a proposed rule that would establish a clear, durable, common-sense definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The proposal, unveiled at an event today at EPA headquarters in Washington, DC,  follows the Supreme Court decision in Sackett and delivers on the Trump Administration's commitment to protect America's waters while providing the regulatory certainty needed to support our nation’s farmers who feed and fuel the world and advance EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative

Upon publication in the Federal Register, the proposed rule will be open for a 45-day public comment period. For more information on the proposed rule, please visit https://www.epa.gov/wotus.

Contact Information

EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)