Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States” Public Comment Period Open: Please Comment on WOTUS by January 5, 2026

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 …

Read more

2025 Year-End Letter

Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® acknowledges that we protect land, water, sensitive species, and communities in the traditional territory of many nations including the Algonquin speaking Susquehannock, and Delaware peoples. First and foremost, we wish all of you and your family members continued good health and peace. Thank you for supporting our efforts! Clean water is everyone’s right …

Read more

Days Cove Rubble Landfill is Seeking a New Discharge Permit

We have received notice that Days Cove Rubble Landfill is applying for a new discharge permit through MD Department of the Environment (MDE). Below is the public notice from MDE. Please note: On July 22, 2025, we requested a hearing for this application. Tentatively, that hearing will be on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 5-8 …

Read more

2025 Summer Newsletter

[NOTE: this Newsletter was originally published on June 13th.] Summer Swimming Season Water Monitoring After Memorial Day, we began our summer swimming season monitoring efforts. So far, E. coli levels have been low enough that it is safe to swim at every point we monitor. Please keep in mind that E. coli levels can change …

Read more

Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project Update: Maryland Public Service Commission Pre-Hearing June 10th on YouTube

On May 9th, the Maryland Public Service Commission granted Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® and 126 other interested parties intervenor status in the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project Update case. We would like to thank everyone that wrote to PSC asking that we be granted intervenor status. On Tuesday, June 10th, at 10:00 AM, the Maryland Public Service Commission …

Read more