White House Hears from Members on WOTUS

What happened: Three ARTBA Environmental Committee members—John Gasparo (Security Paving Inc.), Naomi Kisen (Utah Department of Transportation), and Fred Wagner (Jacobs)—met with the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) July 23 to urge a swift review of the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

Rule status: EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposed a revised WOTUS rule in December 2025 and accepted public comments. The agencies have since decided to issue a supplemental proposal, which is currently under OIRA review.

What they said: ARTBA members urged the agencies to preserve key exemptions, especially for roadside ditches, and quickly issue a proposal to reduce ongoing regulatory uncertainty. They warned that shifting WOTUS definitions can delay permitting, disrupt project planning, and complicate bidding decisions.

What happens next: After OIRA completes its review, EPA and the Corps are expected to publish the supplemental proposal in the Federal Register for another round of public comment. No timeline has been announced.