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\"Farmers, ranchers, landowners, and other stakeholders are counting on EPA to listen to their input when it comes to defining 'waters of the United States,'\" Pruitt said in a statement. \"Today, we are taking an important step toward issuing a new WOTUS definition and answering President Trump’s call to ensure that our waters are kept free from pollution, while promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and showing due regard for the roles of the federal government and the states under the statutory framework of the Clean Water Act.\"

The Associated Press reported Friday that the new rule could threaten programs intended to protect wetlands by offering credits to developers who pledge to protect the wetlands.

The EPA did not provide specific information about the new definition but it will be published for public comment after it is reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget.

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