A proposed rule by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on November 21, 2025 seeks to revise portions of section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Section 4 describes the process in which a species is determined to be “threatened” or “endangered” under the guidelines of the of the Endangered …
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released updated definitions for what constitutes Waters of the United States (WOTUS) on November 17th, 2025. The comment period on the proposed definition change ends January 5th, 2026. Updated language reduces the scope of federal jurisdiction over Clean Water Act permitting by defining terms like “relatively permanent,” “continuous surface …
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released updated definitions for what constitutes Waters of the United States (WOTUS) on November 17th, 2025. Updated language reduces the scope of federal jurisdiction over Clean Water Act permitting by defining terms like “relatively permanent,” “continuous surface connection,” and “tributary” to reduce protections for seasonal or intermittent waterways. From …
In 2022, Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® joined Blue Water Baltimore and others in filing suit against the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), arguing that the state’s General Permit for industrial stormwater discharges failed to adequately protect water quality. As a result of this advocacy, MDE voluntarily withdrew the permit to allow for additional public input. However, after a lengthy …
Wednesday October 15th, Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® Theaux Le Gardeur and staffers met with third year law students Lauren Wieder, Kathryn Hastings, Nicholas Wolf, and Zachary Shank, at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Environmental Clinic Law, under the supervision of Professor Jon Mueller, to visit one of the many sites to be …