,,ii  #aad? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #aadj  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,april #cj1 #bjae ,mr4 
,b>rasso 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,donnelly1    
,mr4 ,inh(e1 ,ms4 ,heitkamp1 ,mr4       
,rob]ts1 ,mr4 ,man*91 ,mr4 ,sullivan1   
,mr4 ,r\nds1 ,mr4 ,blunt1 ,mr4          
,mc,connell1 ,mrs4 ,capito1 ,mrs4       
,fis*]1 & ,mr4 ,hoev57 introduc$ !      
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$  
to ! ,committee on ,environm5t & ,public
 ,works  ,a ,,bill  ,to require !       
,secret>y ( ! ,army & ! ,adm9i/rator ( !
 ,environm5tal ,protection ,ag5cy to    
propose a regulation revis+ ! def9ition 
( ! t]m wat]s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 & = o!r
 purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title  ,?is ,act  
may be cit$ z ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,quality   
,protection ,act4  #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress 
f9ds t-- 7#a7 9 section #aja7;b7 ( !    
,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution ,control ,act   
7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea7;b771 ,congress    
adopt$ ! pr9ciple ( coop]ative f$]alism1
 recogniz+ t it is ! policy ( !         
,congress to recognize1 pres]ve1 &      

protect ! prim>y responsibilities &     
rights ( ,/ates to prev5t1 r$uce1 &     
elim9ate pollution1 to plan ! developm5t
 & use 7includ+ re/oration1 pres]vation1
 & enhancem5t7 ( l& & wat] res\rces1 &  
to consult ) ! ,adm9i/rator 9 ! ex]cise 
( 8 au?ority "u ?is ,act2  7#b7 adequate
 consultation ) ,/ates & local gov]nm5ts
 & affect$ entities is necess>y-- 7,a7  
to ensure t ,f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies  
und]/& ! scope & impacts ( regulatory   
proposals2  7,b7 to ma9ta9 ! coop]ative 
f$]alism f\ndation ( ! ,f$]al ,wat]     
,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 
#abea et seq472 &  7,c7 to respect !    
limits on ,f$]al au?ority2  7#c7 7,a7   
,/ates h robu/ wat] quality protection  
programs capable ( great] regulatory    
controls on wat]s n cov]$ by ,f$]al     
jurisdiction2 &  7,b7 an exclusion (    
wat]s f ,f$]al jurisdiction does n mean 
t exclud$ wat]s w be exempt f regulation
 & protection1 b r1 x recognizes !      
limits ( ,f$]al jurisdiction "u ! ,f$]al
 ,wat] ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc    

,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq47 & ! prim>y role
 ( ,/ates 9 protect+ ,/ate wat]s2 &     
7#d7 sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #e1 & *apt]  
#g1 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code     
7commonly kn[n z ! ,adm9i/rative        
,proc$ure ,act71 requires ea* ag5cy to  
provide notice & an opportunity to      
comm5t reg>d+--  7,a7 in=mation1 includ+
 sci5tific & te*nical f9d+s1 on :i* !   
ag5cy relies 9 tak+ a regulatory action2
 &  7,b7 def9itions1 exclusions1 & /&>ds
 t det]m9e ! limits ( ,f$]al regulation4
  #c4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3  7#a7    
,adm9i/rator ,! t]m ,adm9i/rator means !
 ,adm9i/rator ( ! ,environm5tal         
,protection ,ag5cy4  7#b7 ,body ( wat]  
,! t]m body ( wat] means a traditional  
navigable wat]1 t]ritorial sea1 riv]1   
/ream1 lake1 pond1 or wetl&s4  7#c7     
,int]/ate wat]s ,! t]m int]/ate wat]s   
means ! wat] describ$ 9 section         
#cbh4c7;a77#b7 ( title #cc1 ,code (     
,f$]al ,regulations 7z 9 effect on ! day
 be=e ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act74    
7#d7 ,isolat$ ,! t]m isolat$1 ) respect 

to a body ( wat]1 means ! abs5ce ( a    
surface hydrologic connection to a      
traditional navigable wat]4  7#e7       
,municipality ,! t]m municipality means 
a city1 t[n1 bor\gh1 c\nty1 p>i%1       
di/rict1 association1 or o!r public     
entity t-- 7,a7 0 e/abli%$ by1 or       
pursuant to1 ,/ate law2 &  7,b7 has     
au?ority ov] ! di/ribution ( wat] or !  
disposal ( sewage1 indu/rial wa/e1 or   
any o!r wa/e4  7#f7 ,normal ye> ,! t]m  
normal ye> means-- 7,a7 ! #cj-ye>       
hydrologic normal1 z t t]m is us$ by !  
,natural ,res\rces ,cons]vation ,s]vice 
( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture1 bas$ on   
data f a specific geographic area2 or   
7,b7 if less ?an #cj ye>s ( data        
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 are         
available1 ! av]age ( ! obs]v$ mon?ly   
data f a specific geographic area ov] ! 
p]iod ( record4  7#g7 ,po9t s\rce ,! t]m
 po9t s\rce has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9    
section #ejb ( ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution
 ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #acfb74   
7#h7 ,public notice & an opportunity =  

comm5t  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! t]m public     
notice & an opportunity = comm5t means  
notice & opportunity = comm5t t meets ! 
requirem5ts ( sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #e1 
& *apt] #g1 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates   
,code 7commonly kn[n z ! ,adm9i/rative  
,proc$ure ,act74  7,b7 ,inclusion ,! t]m
 public notice & an opportunity = comm5t
 includes ! opportunity = public he>+s 9
 diff]5t geographic regions ) diff]5t   
hydrology1 includ+ sep>ate meet+s 9 !   
arid ,we/4  7#i7 ,secret>y ,! t]m       
,secret>y means ! ,secret>y ( ! ,army4  
7#aj7 ,/ream ,! t]m /ream means a       
natural *annel =m$ by ! fl[ ( wat] t has
 a b$1 bank1 & ord9>y high wat] m>k 7z  
def9$ 9 section #cbh4c7;e7 ( title #cc1 
,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations 7z 9 effect 
on ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act774      
7#aa7 ,surface hydrologic connection    
7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! t]m surface hydrologic 
connection means a cont9u\s surface     
connection ?r\gh :i* wat] moves )9 a    
body ( wat] or f #a body ( wat] to      
ano!r4  7,b7 ,exclusion ,! t]m surface  

hydrologic connection does n include--  
7i7 ov]l& fl[ ( wat] outside a body (   
wat] 7includ+ %eetfl[72 or  7ii7 !      
movem5t ( wat] ?r\gh soil1 subsurface   
tiles1 or a gr\ndwat] aquif]4  7,c7     
,det]m9ation ( cont9u\sness ,= purposes 
( ?is p>agraph1 a surface hydrologic    
connection %all be consid]$ to be       
cont9u\s if ! connection is cont9u\s1   
reg>dless ( :e!r--  7i7 wat] is n always
 pres5t2 &  7ii7 !re is a break 9 !     
ord9>y high wat] m>k ( a /ream t is     
unrelat$ to ! fl[ regime ( ! /ream1     
includ+ a break caus$ by a culv]t1 pipe1
 dam1 or by ! fl[ ( ! /ream und]gr\nd = 
a %ort di/ance1 su* z ?r\gh a cave4     
7#ab7 ,traditional navigable wat] ,! t]m
 traditional navigable wat] means ! wat]
 describ$ 9 section #cbh4c7;a77#a7 (    
title #cc1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations  
7z 9 effect on ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is  
,act74  7#ac7 ,wetl&s ,! t]m wetl&s has 
! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section #cbh4c7;b7 
( title #cc1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations
 7z 9 effect on ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is 

,act74  #d4 ,revis$ def9ition2 pr9ciples
 & process  7a7 ,revis$ def9ition  ,a   
revision to or guidance on a regulatory 
def9ition ( ! t]m navigable wat]s or    
wat]s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates promulgat$ or   
issu$ pursuant to ! ,f$]al ,wat]        
,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 
#abea et seq47 aft] ,febru>y #d1 #bjae1 
%all h no =ce or effect--  7#a7 unless !
 revision adh]es to ! pr9ciples "u      
subsection 7b72 &  7#b7 until aft] !    
,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator c>ry out ea* 
action describ$ 9 subsection 7c74  7b7  
,pr9ciples ,9 promulgat+ a revis$       
regulatory def9ition pursuant to ?is    
subsection1 ! ,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator
 %all adh]e to ! foll[+ pr9ciples3  7#a7
 ,! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution ,control    
,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq47 is an
 ,act to protect traditional navigable  
wat]s f wat] pollution4  7#b7 ,! t]m    
wat]s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates "u ! ,f$]al     
,wat] ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc     
,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq47 %\ld id5tify   
bodies ( wat] subject to ,f$]al         

jurisdiction1 &1 except z provid$ 9     
p>agraph 7#c71 %\ld include--  7,a7     
traditional navigable wat]s & int]/ate  
wat]s2  7,b7 ! rea* ( a /ream t is--    
7i7 id5tifi$ on #a or m maps creat$ us+ 
! ,unit$ ,/ates ,geological ,survey     
,national ,hydrology ,dataset ,plus at !
 #a3ajj1jjj scale f ,rea* ,address      
,database ,v]sion #c4a1 consi/5t ) !    
scale & rea* address database us$ by !  
,adm9i/rator dur+ ,july #bjji1 9        
conjunction ) in=mation on dr9k+ wat]   
s\rce protection areas1 to id5tify      
pot5tial s\rces ( wat] = public dr9k+   
wat] sy/ems2 or  7ii7 = any ,/ate = :i* 
a map at ! scale describ$ 9 clause 7i7  
is n available1 id5tifi$ on a map us+ ! 
,unit$ ,/ates ,geological ,survey       
,national ,hydrology ,dataset ,plus at !
 available scale t is close/ to ! scale 
describ$ 9 clause 7i72  7,c7 ! rea* ( a 
/ream t1 ?r\gh a surface hydrologic     
connection1 contributes fl[ 9 a normal  
ye> to a traditional navigable wat] (   
suffici5t volume1 duration1 & frequ5cy t

 pollutants 9 t rea* w\ld degrade ! wat]
 quality ( ! traditional navigable wat]1
 bas$ on a quantifiable & /ati/ically   
valid measure ( fl[ = t geographic area2
 &  7,d7 wetl&s situat$ next to a wat] (
 ! ,unit$ ,/ates t1 9 a normal ye>1     
protect ! wat] quality ( a navigable    
wat] by prev5t+ ! movem5t ( pollutants  
to a navigable wat]4  7#c7 ,! t]m wat]s 
( ! ,unit$ ,/ates "u ! ,f$]al ,wat]     
,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 
#abea et seq47 %\ld n include-- 7,a7    
wat] t is locat$ bel[ ! surface ( ! l&1 
includ+ soil wat] & gr\ndwat]2  7,b7    
wat] t is n locat$ )9 a body ( wat]2    
7,c7 an isolat$ pond1 :e!r natural or   
manmade1 includ+ a f>m pond1 fi% pond1  
qu>ry1 m9e pit1 ornam5tal pond1 swimm+  
pool1 con/ruction pit1 fire control     
pond1 s$im5t pond1 & any o!r isolat$    
facility or sy/em t holds wat]2  7,d7 a 
sy/em con/ruct$ or us$ = ! purpose (    
collect+1 convey+1 hold+1 or treat+--   
7i7 /ormwat] or floodwat] )9 ! b\nd>ies 
( a ,/ate1 tribal1 municipal1 indu/rial1

 agricultural1 silvicultural1           
resid5tial1 or ,f$]al facility or       
op]ation1 includ+ dit*es along          
agricultural fields1 roads1 runways1    
p>k+ lots1 & o!r infra/ructure2  7ii7   
wa/ewat] )9 ! b\nd>ies ( a ,/ate1       
tribal1 municipal1 indu/rial1 comm]cial1
 agricultural1 silvicultural1           
resid5tial1 or ,f$]al facility or       
op]ation2  7iii7 municipal & indu/rial  
wat] supplies )9 ! b\nd>ies ( a ,/ate1  
tribal1 municipal1 indu/rial1 comm]cial1
 agricultural1 silvicultural1           
resid5tial1 or ,f$]al facility or       
op]ation--  7,i7 includ+ spread+ bas9s =
 aquif] /orage & recov]y or aquif]      
re*>ge & recov]y2 b  7,,ii7 n includ+   
in/ream res]voirs or o!r in/ream        
facilities2 or  7iv7 wat] = agricultural
 or silvicultural purposes by a         
municipality or at an agricultural or   
silvicultural facility or op]ation1     
includ+ irrigation wat]1 a fi%          
production pond1 live/ock wat]+ pond1   
irrigat$ field1 cranb]ry gr[+ field1    

rice production field1 manure lagoon1 & 
f>m pond2  7,e7 ! rea* ( a /ream t1     
?r\gh a surface hydrologic connection1  
does n contribute fl[ 9 a normal ye> to 
a traditional navigable wat] ( suffici5t
 volume1 duration1 & frequ5cy t         
pollutants 9 t rea* w\ld degrade ! wat] 
quality ( ! traditional navigable wat]1 
bas$ on a quantifiable & /ati/ically    
valid measure ( fl[ = t geographic area2
  7,f7 prior-conv]t$ cropl& 7z def9$ 9  
section #ab4b7;a7 ( title #g1 ,code (   
,f$]al ,regulations 7z 9 effect on !    
date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act772 &  7,g7   
any wat] t is no long] a wat] ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates pursuant to a p]mit issu$ "u--  
7i7 section #aj ( ! ,act ( ,m>* #c1     
#ahii 7commonly kn[n z ! 8,riv]s &      
,h>bors ,appropriation ,act ( #ahii07   
7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #djc72 or  7ii7 section  
#djd ( ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution        
,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #acdd74    
7#d7 ,unless a subp>agraph ( p>agraph   
7#c7 o!r ?an subp>agraph 7,d7 applies1 =
 purposes ( ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution   

,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea et   
seq471 ! t]m wat]s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates    
%\ld include a sy/em describ$ 9 p>agraph
 7#c77;,d71 or a compon5t ( su* a sy/em1
 if ! ,secret>y or ! ,adm9i/rator       
demon/rates t--  7,a7 ! sy/em 0 a wat] (
 ! ,unit$ ,/ates t 0 conv]t$ = use = !  
purpose describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#c77;,d7   
aft] ,octob] #ah1 #aigb1 )\t a p]mit "u 
section #djd ( t ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4    
#acdd71 unless ! con/ruction or use ( ! 
sy/em--  7i7 is describ$ 9 subp>agraph  
7,a7 or 7,c7 ( section #djd7;f77#a7 ( t 
,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #acdd7;f77#a772 or  
7ii7 0 o!rwise exempt f p]mitt+ "u t    
,act2 or  7,b7 ! sy/em 0 a traditional  
navigable wat] t 0 conv]t$ = use = !    
purpose describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#c77;,d71  
unless--  7i7 ! sy/em is id5tifi$ z a   
po9t s\rce 9 a p]mit issu$ "u section   
#djb ( ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution        
,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #acdb72    
7ii7 ! wat] manag$ 9 ! sy/em is-- 7,i7  
irrigation return fl[ exempt f p]mitt+  
"u section #djb7l77#a7 ( t ,act 7#cc    

,u4,s4,c4 #acdb7l77#a772 or  7,,ii7     
agricultural /ormwat] or return fl[s f  
irrigat$ agriculture exempt f p]mitt+ "u
 section #ejb7ad7 ( t ,act 7#cc         
,u4,s4,c4 #acfb7ad772  7iii7 !          
con/ruction or use ( ! sy/em is describ$
 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 or 7,c7 ( section   
#djd7;f77#a7 ( t ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4    
#acdd7;f77#a772 or  7iv7 ! sy/em is a   
wa/e treatm5t sy/em4  7#e7 ,9 promulgat+
 a revis$ def9ition ( wat]s ( ! ,unit$  
,/ates1 ! ,secret>y or ! ,adm9i/rator   
%all take into consid]ation t--  7,a7 ! 
use ( a body ( wat] by an organism1     
includ+ a migratory bird1 does n provide
 a basis = e/abli%+ ,f$]al jurisdiction 
"u ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution ,control   
,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq472     
7,b7 ! supply ( wat] to a gr\ndwat]     
aquif] & ! /orage ( wat] 9 an isolat$   
body ( wat] are issues t--  7i7 p]ta9 to
 ! use ( wat] res\rces t %all n be      
sup]s$$1 abrogat$1 or o!rwise impair$ by
 ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution ,control ,act
 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq47 pursuant 

to sections #aja7;g7 & #eaj7b7 ( t ,act 
7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea7;g71 #acgj7b772 &  
7ii7 d n provide a basis = e/abli%+     
,f$]al jurisdiction "u t ,act 7#cc      
,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq472 &  7,c7       
evaporation1 transpiration1 cond5sation1
 precipitation1 ! ov]l& fl[ ( wat]1 & ! 
movem5t ( wat] 9 an aquif] are all "p ( 
! wat] cycle & may connect all wat] ov] 
suffici5tly long p]iods ( "t & di/ances1
 b d n provide a basis = e/abli%+ ,f$]al
 jurisdiction "u ! ,f$]al ,wat]         
,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 
#abea et seq474  7#f7 ,wat]s t are wat]s
 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %\ld be id5tifi$ on  
maps provid$ by ! ,secret>y & !         
,adm9i/rator to promote c]ta9ty &       
transp>5cy 9 jurisdictional             
det]m9ations4  7c7 ,consid]ation1       
consultation1 & report  7#a7            
,consid]ation ( public comm5ts ,be=e    
issu+ a propos$ regulation pursuant to  
subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y & !         
,adm9i/rator %all make available to !   
public1 review1 & publi% a response to  

comm5ts fil$ reg>d+ ! propos$ rule      
entitl$ ,def9ition ( ,wat]s ( ! ,unit$  
,/ates ,"u ! ,clean ,wat] ,act ( !      
,corps ( ,eng9e]s & ! ,environm5tal     
,protection ,ag5cy 7#gi ,f$4 ,reg4      
#bbahh 7,april #ba1 #bjad774  7#b7      
,f$]alism  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 propos+ &   
promulgat+ a regulation pursuant to     
subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y & !         
,adm9i/rator %all ensure compliance ) ! 
f$]alism policymak+ crit]ia &           
consultation 9 accordance ) ,executive  
,ord] #acacb 7#fd ,f$4 ,reg4 #dcbee     
7,augu/ #d1 #aiii771 reg>dless ( :e!r ! 
,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator det]m9e t !  
regulation w\ld h any sub/antial &      
direct effect on--  7i7 ,/ates2  7ii7 ! 
relation%ip betwe5 ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t & 
! ,/ates2 or  7iii7 ! di/ribution ( p[] 
& responsibilities among ! v>i\s levels 
( gov]nm5t4  7,b7 ,consultation  7i7 ,9 
g5]al ,to be consid]$ mean+ful          
consultation describ$ 9 section #aja7;b7
 ( ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution ,control   
,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea7;b771 be=e    

publication ( a propos$ rule "u ?is     
section1 consultation %all include a    
discussion ( alt]native approa*es ) & a 
reque/ = input & advice on ! approa*es f
 ,/ates1 includ+--  7,i7 ,gov]nors2     
7,,ii7 ,/ate dep>tm5ts ) au?ority ov]   
wat] supply & wat] quality2  7,,iii7    
,/ate dep>tm5ts ( agriculture2 &  7,,iv7
 local gov]nm5ts1 includ+ elect$        
(ficials1 local gov]nm5tal entities )   
au?ority ov] wat] supply1 /ormwat]1 wa/e
 wat]1 & flood control1 irrigation      
di/ricts1 & cons]vation di/ricts4  7ii7 
,topics ,! topics to be address$ 9 !    
consultation "u ?is p>agraph %\ld       
include-- 7,i7 categories ( wat]s1 9    
addition to ^? discuss$ 9 p>agraphs 7#b7
 & 7#c7 ( subsection 7b71 t %\ld be     
subject to ,f$]al jurisdiction or %\ld  
be subject solely to ,/ate regulation2  
7,,ii7 :at is ! role ( ,/ates 9 !       
id5tification ( wat]s subject to ,f$]al 
jurisdiction2 &  7,,iii7 :e!r *annels 9 
:i* wat] is pres5t only dur+ or = a %ort
 "t aft] a precipitation ev5t are       

correctly categoriz$ z geomorphological 
features r ?an hydrologic features4     
7#c7 ,regulatory flexibility ,9 propos+ 
& promulgat+ a regulation pursuant to   
subsection 7a71 & reg>dless ( :e!r !    
,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator det]m9e t !  
regulation w\ld h a significant impact  
on a sub/antial numb] ( small entities1 
! ,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator %all--     
7,a7 c>ry out ! actions describ$ 9      
sections #fjc1 #fjd1 & #fji ( title #e1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 &  7,b7 9 c>ry+ out
 ^? actions1 take into consid]ation !   
co/s ( all programs "u ! ,f$]al ,wat]   
,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 
#abea et seq471 reg>dless ( :e!r !      
,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator consid] !    
co/s ( ! propos$ regulation to be direct
 or indirect4  7#d7 ,unfund$ m&ates ,9  
propos+ & promulgat+ a regulation       
pursuant to subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y 
& ! ,adm9i/rator %all evaluate !        
int]gov]nm5tal & private sector impacts 
( ! regulation1 9 accordance ) title    
,,ii ( ! ,unfund$ ,m&ates ,re=m ,act (  

#aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #aeca et seq471     
reg>dless ( :e!r ! ,secret>y & !        
,adm9i/rator--  7,a7 consid] ! impacts (
 ! propos$ regulation to be direct or   
indirect2 or  7,b7 det]m9e t exp5ditures
 result+ f ! propos$ regulation w\ld    
meet ! monet>y ?re%olds e/abli%$ 9 t    
,act 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #aeja et seq474  7#e7
 ,improv+ regulation & regulatory review
 ,9 propos+ & promulgat+ a regulation   
pursuant to subsection 7a71 reg>dless ( 
:e!r ! ,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator       
consid] ! regulation to be a significant
 regulatory action or significantly     
affect ,/ate1 local1 & tribal gov]nm5ts1
 ! ,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator %all      
ensure t ! regulation meets !           
requirem5ts (--  7,a7 ,executive ,ord]  
#abhff 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 #fja note2 relat+  
to regulatory plann+ & review72 &  7,b7 
,executive ,ord] #acefc 7#gf ,f$4 ,reg4 
#chba 7,janu>y #ah1 #bjaa774  7#f7      
,improv+ p]=mance ( ,f$]al p]mitt+ &    
review ( infra/ructure projects ,9      
propos+ & promulgat+ a regulation       

pursuant to subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y 
& ! ,adm9i/rator %all consid]--  7,a7   
,executive ,ord] #acfjd 7#e ,u4,s4,c4   
#fja note2 relat+ to improv+ p]=mance ( 
,f$]al p]mitt+ & review ( infra/ructure 
projects72 &  7,b7 ! goal ( r$uc+ ! "t  
to make decisions 9 ! p]mitt+ & review (
 infra/ructure projects by ! ,f$]al     
,gov]nm5t4  7#g7 ,report ,n lat] ?an !  
date t is #cj days be=e ! date (        
issuance ( a propos$ regulation pursuant
 to subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y & !     
,adm9i/rator %all submit to ! ,committee
 on ,environm5t & ,public ,works ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,transportation
 & ,infra/ructure ( ! ,h\se (           
,repres5tatives a report t--  7,a7      
describes ! means by :i* ! propos$      
regulation1 if f9aliz$1 w\ld a*ieve     
compliance )-- 7i7 ,executive ,ord]     
#abhff 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 #fja note2 relat+  
to regulatory plann+ & review71 includ+ 
! means by :i*--  7,i7 ! regulation w\ld
 impose ! lea/ burd5 on society1        
consi/5t ) obta9+ regulatory objectives1

 tak+ into acc\nt1 among o!r ?+s1 & to !
 maximum ext5t practicable1 ! co/s (    
cumulative regulations2 &  7,,ii7 !     
,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator id5tifi$ &   
assess$ available alt]natives to direct 
regulation2  7ii7 section #b7;i7 (      
,executive ,ord] #acacb 7#fd ,f$4 ,reg4 
#dcbef 7,augu/ #d1 #aiii771 :i* requires
 ag5cies to act only ) ! greate/ caution
 :]e ,/ate or local gov]nm5ts h id5tifi$
 unc]ta9ties reg>d+ ! con/itutional or  
/atutory au?ority ( ! national gov]nm5t2
  7iii7 section #c ( t ,executive ord]  
7#fd ,f$4 ,reg4 #dcbef 7,augu/ #d1      
#aiii771 :i* requires ag5cies--  7,i7 to
 /rictly adh]e to con/itutional         
pr9ciples & /atutory au?ority2  7,,ii7  
to take action limit+ ! policymak+      
discretion ( ! ,/ates only 9 cases 9 :i*
 !re exi/s con/itutional & /atutory     
au?ority = ! action2  7,,iii7 to provide
 ,/ates ) maximum adm9i/rative          
discretion practicable1 )\t intrusive   
,f$]al ov]sight2 &  7,,iv7 to rely on   
,/ate policies to ! maximum ext5t       

practicable2 &  7iv7 ,executive ,ord]   
#acefc 7#gf ,f$4 ,reg4 #chba 7,janu>y   
#ah1 #bjaa771 includ+ ! public          
p>ticipation requirem5ts ( section #b ( 
t ,executive ord]1 :i* require an       
opportunity = public comm5t reg>d+ all  
p]t95t p>ts ( ! rulemak+ docket1 includ+
 relevant sci5tific & te*nical f9d+s &  
seek+ ! views ( ^? :o are likely to be  
affect$ be=e issu+ a notice ( propos$   
rulemak+2  7,b7 includes ! ,f$]alism    
summ>y impact /atem5t requir$ by section
 #c ( ,executive ,ord] #acacb 7#fd ,f$4 
,reg4 #dcbef 7,augu/ #d1 #aiii772  7,c7 
includes ! regulatory flexibility       
analyses requir$ "u section #fjc ( title
 #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 & ! report ( !
 review panel requir$ "u section #fji ( 
t title2  7,d7 describes ! small        
gov]nm5t ag5cy plan1 & ! ,/ate1 local1 &
 tribal input "u sections #bjc & #bjd ( 
! ,unfund$ ,m&ates ,re=m ,act ( #aiie   
7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #aecc1 #aecd72  7,e7      
describes ! means by :i* ! propos$      
regulation is ! lea/ co/ly1 mo/         

co/-effective1 or lea/ burd5some        
alt]native1 9 accordance ) section #bje 
( ! ,unfund$ ,m&ates ,re=m ,act ( #aiie 
7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #aece72  7,f7 describes   
:e!r ! ,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator w     
provide fund+ to ,/ate1 local1 & tribal 
gov]nm5ts to meet ! int]gov]nm5tal      
m&ates impos$ by ! propos$ regulation2 &
  7,g7 describes h[ ! propos$ rule w    
a*ieve ! goal /at$ 9 section #a (       
,executive ,ord] #acfjd 7#e ,u4,s4,c4   
#fja note2 relat+ to improv+ p]=mance ( 
,f$]al p]mitt+ & review ( infra/ructure 
projects7 t ! "t to make decisions 9 !  
p]mitt+ & review ( infra/ructure        
projects by ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t be r$uc$4
  7#h7 ,tim+ ,9 c>ry+ out ?is section1 !
 ,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator %all use be/
 ef=ts-- 7,a7 to provide n less ?an #ahj
 days = ! consultation describ$ 9       
p>agraph 7#b72  7,b7 to provide a comm5t
 p]iod on ! revis$ propos$ rule ( n less
 ?an #abj days2 &  7,c7 to publi% a f9al
 rule n lat] ?an ,decemb] #ca1 #bjaf4   
#e4 ,measure ( fl[ ,aft] provid+ public 

notice & an opportunity = comm5t1 !     
,secret>y %all e/abli% quantifiable &   
/ati/ically valid measures ( ! volume1  
duration1 & frequ5cy ( fl[ 9 /reams 9   
diff]5t geographic areas t w\ld1 9 a    
normal ye>1 all[ pollutants 9 rea*es (  
/reams 9 ^? geographic areas to fl[ to &
 degrade ! wat] quality ( a traditional 
navigable wat]4  #f4 ,report to         
,congress ,n lat] ?an ! date t is #c    
ye>s aft] ! date ( promulgation ( a     
regulation pursuant to section #d1 & n  
less frequ5tly ?an once e #c ye>s       
!reaft]1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates1 aft] consultation ) ,/ate1     
local1 & tribal gov]nm5ts & o!r affect$ 
entities1 %all--  7#a7 review !         
jurisdictional det]m9ations made dur+ ! 
applicable p]iod by ! ,secret>y & !     
,adm9i/rator2 &  7#b7 submit to         
,congress a report t describes-- 7,a7 ! 
int]pretations ( ! regulation by--  7i7 
di/ricts ( ! ,corps ( ,eng9e]s2 &  7ii7 
regional (fices ( ! ,environm5tal       
,protection ,ag5cy2  7,b7 :e!r ^?       

int]pretations are consi/5t2  7,c7 if   
any inconsi/5cy exi/s1 ! measures c>ri$ 
out by ! ,secret>y & ! ,adm9i/rator to  
r$uce ! inconsi/5cy or an explanation ( 
! geographic diff]5ces t make !         
inconsi/5cy appropriate2 &  7,d7 !      
impacts ( ^? int]pretations on ,f$]al   
p]mitt+ & review ( infra/ructure        
projects1 & ! goal /at$ 9 section #a (  
,executive ,ord] #acfjd 7#e ,u4,s4,c4   
#fja note2 relat+ to improv+ p]=mance ( 
,f$]al p]mitt+ & review ( infra/ructure 
projects7 t ! "t to make decisions 9 !  
p]mitt+ & review ( infra/ructure        
projects by ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t be r$uc$4
  #g4 ,effect ( ,act  7a7 ,p]mitt+      
au?ority ,no?+ 9 ?is ,act limits !      
au?ority ( ! ,secret>y or !             
,adm9i/rator-- 7#a7 to require a p]mit =
 any dis*>ge ( pollutants to a navigable
 wat] "u ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution      
,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea et   
seq472 or  7#b7 to take any en=cem5t    
action ) respect to an unp]mitt$ dis*>ge
 "u t ,act4  7b7 ,wat] transf]s ,no?+ 9 

?is ,act affects a det]m9ation reg>d+   
:e!r ! transf] ( wat] f #a body ( wat]  
to ano!r requires a p]mit "u section    
#djb ( ! ,f$]al ,wat] ,pollution        
,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #acdb74    
7c7 ,ret5tion ( ,/ate au?ority ,no?+ 9  
?is ,act places any limitation on !     
scope ( wat] subject to ,/ate           
jurisdiction "u ,/ate law4