Restoring Federalism in Clean Water Permitting Act

This bill, titled the "Restoring Federalism in Clean Water Permitting Act," directs the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator to review the regulations governing the approval of state permit programs under Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The primary goal of this review is to identify revisions that will streamline the approval process , reduce administrative burdens , and encourage additional states to assume responsibility for administering these crucial permit programs. The Administrator is mandated to complete this review within 180 days of the bill's enactment and implement any necessary revisions. Furthermore, the legislation amends Section 404 to introduce new provisions concerning judicial review of EPA's approval of state permit programs. It establishes a strict 60-day statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit challenging such an approval, and requires the plaintiff to have submitted a sufficiently detailed comment during the administrative public comment period. If a court determines that the Administrator did not comply with requirements, it must remand the matter to the EPA for further proceedings, but generally cannot vacate, revoke, or enjoin the state's authority to issue permits unless an imminent and substantial danger to human health or the environment is found.