Congress Must Protect Innocent Property Owners from Section 404 Civil and Criminal Penalties

For decades, property owners across the United States have struggled to comply with the Clean Water Act, in large part because they do not know which “waters” are regulated. Vague definitions, inconsistent enforcement, and changing rules contribute to this ongoing problem. Despite the confusion, the federal government continues to impose civil and criminal penalties on property owners—even when they cannot know that they are violating the law. Congress should rectify this situation by protecting innocent property owners while giving the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers the necessary flexibility to properly and reasonably enforce the law