“The Trump administration on Thursday finalized a rule that significantly reduces the federal government’s role in regulating waterways, fulfilling a campaign promise to farmers and energy interests and handing a win to conservatives who have pushed for changes to the Clean Water Act regulations.

The rule, which redefines what constitutes ‘waters of the United States,’ revises decades-old standards for regulating waterways, a move environmentalists warn will lead to pollution of water that wildlife and people depend on, especially in low-income areas and communities of color. Several current and former EPA and Army Corps of Engineers employees and scientific advisers oppose the move, charging that political appointees blocked the use of scientific information in writing the rule.

The rule is certain to be challenged by environmental groups and be rescinded if a Democrat wins the presidential election in November. The Democratic presidential candidates have promised to write stricter clean water rules, and one of them, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, has said she would ‘restore the Obama-era water rule that protected our lakes, rivers, and streams, and the drinking water they provide.'”

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