Editorial – The New York Times – June 20, 2012

In April last year, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed badly needed policy “guidance” reminding the staff of the Army Corps of Engineers of their duty under the Clean Water Act to protect all bodies of water, large and small, from harmful development. The guidance was sent to the White House in February for final approval. There it has languished — another prisoner of election-year politics. The 1972 law is designed to protect “the waters of the United States” from pollution. It requires anyone who wishes to dredge or fill a body of water — oil companies, developers, homeowners — to seek a permit from the Corps, which can stop destructive projects and mitigate the damage from others. For full story, click here.