On Oct. 23, GCSAA Director of Congressional & Federal Affairs Bob Helland offered public testimony in front of officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army outlining the association’s recommendations to revise the definition of "Waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act (CWA).

The purpose of the small entity in-person meeting was for the agencies to hear pre-proposal input from a wide variety of interests on the forthcoming proposal to revise the definition of "waters of the U.S." under the Clean Water Act.  

During his remarks, Helland focused on:

• Introducing GCSAA and the golf course management profession.
• Why the definition of “waters of the U.S.” matters to the golf industry.
• The importance of bringing cooperative federalism into the next version of the Clean Water Rule.
• What waters the agencies should focus on as federally regulated.
• What waters on golf course properties should not be federally regulated.

The agencies are in the process of hosting nine teleconferences tailored to specific sectors such as agriculture and forestry; conservation (including hunting and fishing); small businesses; construction and transportation; environment and public advocacy; mining; industry (energy, chemical, oil/gas); scientific organizations and academia; and stormwater, wastewater management, and drinking water agencies. The Oct. 23 meeting was the only in-person listening session offered by the agencies.

The agencies will also be accepting written comments through www.Regulations.gov docket (EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0480). Comments must be submitted by Nov. 28. GCSAA will provide public comment by the deadline. For additional information, visit https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule/outreach-meetings. 

GCSAA will continue to work with the Waters Advocacy Coalition to help the agencies come up with a sustainable and clear definition of WOTUS.