EPA Moves To Rescind Biden-Era Tribal Water Quality Rule

"The rule required state and federal regulators to account for tribes’ hunting and fishing rights when setting plans and policies to reduce water pollution."

"The Trump administration plans to rescind an EPA rule requiring states to consider tribes’ rights to fish, hunt and gather wild plants when establishing water quality protections — a policy the administration argues went beyond the agency’s authority.

Finalized under the Biden administration, the rule provided an avenue for tribes to compel state and federal regulators to account for their consumption of traditional plants and animals when setting water quality standards. Those standards form the basis for protecting rivers, lakes and other water bodies from pollution.

Under works for months, the agency is now close to moving forward with a proposal to rescind the rule, according to a notice Friday by the Office of Management and Budget."

Miranda Willson reports for E&E News August 10, 2026.

Source: E&E News, 08/11/2026