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TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2002

The Bush administration on Monday announced it would be easing restrictions on wetlands protections in an effort to streamline a permitting process that benefits the industry.

The changes were first offered last spring by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They drew strong opposition from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of Interior.

Norton never submitted the agency's concerns, as reported yesterday by The Washington Post, although her department said a difference of opinion with her mining office were being discussed. An aide, however, blamed the slip-up on the lack of political appointees confirmed by the Senate.

The revised rules are being announced in the Federal Register today.

Get the Story:
White House Relaxes Rules On Protection of Wetlands (The Washington Post 1/15)
Bush Administration Rolls Back Clinton Rules for Wetlands (The New York Times 1/15)
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Relevant Links:
Wetlands and Regulatory Proposals, Army Corps of Engineers - http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/iwr/Regulatory/regulintro.htm

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