MMA, local officials testify on proposed Clean Water Act rules

On Sept. 22, the MMA and municipal officials from across New England spoke at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee Workgroup meeting in Worcester on the EPA’s proposed rule to clarify which water bodies are subject to the Clean Water Act.

The EPA and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ proposed rule change would update the Clean Water Act to broaden the definition of navigable waters, over which the EPA currently has jurisdiction.

Under the proposed rule, the EPA’s jurisdiction would include waters such as headwaters, wetlands, lakes, and man-made channels that have a “significant nexus” or significantly affect the integrity of the downstream traditional navigable waters.

At the Worcester meeting, the MMA expressed concerns that the proposed rule needed more clarity, specifically to include municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) and green infrastructure in the wastewater treatment systems exemption.

Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong attended the meeting as a member of the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee. Shrewsbury Town Manager Dan Morgado also attended the meeting and spoke before the committee.

The EPA briefed the MMA’s Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment about the proposed rule on Sept. 9 at the MMA office.

Public comments on the proposed rule are due Oct. 20. For more information, visit www2.epa.gov/uswaters.