Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The President, acting under constitutional and federal authority including section 313 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, has determined it is in the paramount interest of the United States to exempt Air Force jet fighter training operations in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada from federal, state, interstate, and local water pollution control requirements.
This exemption applies to training operations involved in litigation in Oregon Natural Desert Ass’n v. Meink and is granted pursuant to subsection (a) of section 313 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. 1323(a).
The exemption covers a one-year period, from April 20, 2026, to April 20, 2027, and excludes the requirements of 33 U.S.C. 1316 and 1317. The memorandum states the exemption does not imply that, without it, the Clean Water Act or other laws would require the Air Force to obtain permits regarding water pollution control for these operations.
The exemption does not limit the applicability or enforcement of other legal requirements that apply to the Air Force's training operations in the three states.
The Secretary of the Air Force is directed to publish this determination in the Federal Register.