Dear Administrator Wheeler and Mr. James, On behalf of the Society of Wetland Scientists and representing 3,000+ wetland and aquatic science professionals, we respectfully submit the following comments in response to your solicitation regarding the proposed Rule “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States” (proposed Rule) (84 FR 4154; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0149), published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2019. The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) is an international scientific organization whose members study, manage, and restore wetlands. We are a science-based and non-profit organization with a deep commitment to independent objectivity and peer-review of ecological science, policy and management practices. Our members have numerous areas of expertise in the ecological, hydrological, biogeochemical, ecological restoration and biological sciences. They work in the private sector, academia, and tribal, state and federal agencies and support wetland, aquatic, and ecological resource research, education, restoration and sustainable management, as well as the development and use of the best available science to sustainably manage and restore our freshwater, estuarine, coastal, and ocean resources for the benefit of the U.S. economy, environment, and public health and safety. SWS holds multiple scientific meetings each year focused on wetlands throughout the world and publishes the most important peer-reviewed journal dealing with wetlands (Wetlands) in the world. Read more.
