On November 17, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposed a new rule to change the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). Defining WOTUS may seem technical or insignificant, but it is central to understanding which bodies of water are subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA). It affects day-to-day decisions such as how to comply with federal law, when permits are required, and which permits are needed. According to the EPA and the Corps, by providing a clear and durable definition, this proposal may help accelerate economic growth and opportunities.
This case study examines Amara’s Law (Sec. 116943), a Minnesota bill that seeks to eliminate the non-essential use of PFAS, improve transparency in consumer products, and reduce environmental contamination. The case study also highlights the efforts of Amara Strande, a Minnesota resident whose battle with a rare form of liver cancer brought attention to PFAS contamination. The case study also discusses recent efforts to amend the law and challenge its legality in court.
The terms “biosolids” and “sewage sludge” are often used interchangeably. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) uses the term biosolid to specifically refer to sewage sludge that has been treated to comply with the EPA’s regulation related to sewage sludge- “Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge” or 40 C.F.R. Part 503. This sewage sludge will be applied to land as a fertilizer or soil conditioner. Land application is the most common disposal method for biosolids. Depending on the presence of certain pollutants in the sewage sludge, it may be applied to farms, golf courses, and even home gardens. This case study will cover recent U.S. EPA and state actions related to controlling the use of PFAS-contaminated biosolids.
In 2025, the National Sea Grant Law Center received funding from The Nature Conservancy to conduct a legal analysis of existing Maine law to understand current barriers to and opportunities for permitting shellfish restoration projects.
The October 2025 issue of The SandBar is now available. The lead story is: "Louisiana Coastal Parishes’ Land Loss Lawsuit Reaches the Supreme Court".
In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) which granted the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) the power to issue permits regulating certain activities over navigable waters.
The Special Symposium issue of The Sea Grant Law & Policy Journal (Vol. 14:1) is now available.