Biden Administration Announcement Leaves Crucial Streams, Wetlands, and Drinking Water Sources in Jeopardy News provided by Share this article Share this article WASHINGTON, June 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Southern Environmental Law Center today released the following statement regarding the EPA's announcement that it plans to repeal and replace a harmful, destructive rule by the prior administration that removed federal Clean Water Act protections against pollution and destruction from streams, wetlands, and lakes by the previous administration. The so-called "Navigable Waters Protection Rule" removed protections from several public lakes including Lake Keowee, a drinking water reservoir for almost 400,000 people in South Carolina, and from wetlands that protect many Southern communities facing increased, more intense rain events and flooding with climate change. Today's action recognizes the significant problems with the current rule, but does not immediately reverse it.