Bush Abandons Revisions to the Clean Water Act

The Bush Administration surprised critics in December when it abandoned plans to revise the Clean Water Act. The changes, proposed in September 2002, would have significantly reduced the number of waterways and wetlands protected from development. The change of plans was made following an overwhelmingly negative response from the public and members of Congress. Conservationists remain worried that a guidance policy issued to the Army Corps of Engineers and EPA leaves up to 20 million acres (8.1 million ha) of wetlands vulnerable.