WASHINGTON — Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin says new Clean Water Act guidelines from the Obama administration are good news for America’s waterways.

The Obama administration issued the guidelines Wednesday to clarify which streams, wetlands and other waterways are protected under the Clean Water Act. Two Supreme Court cases in the past decade had limited the ability of federal agencies to enforce the act.

Cardin says the guidelines are designed to address the court’s concerns in a way that will protect waters important for fish and wildlife habitat, flood protection, and drinking water supplies. He joined 13 other senators in asking the administration to issue guidelines to restore the ability of federal agencies to enforce the act.

Cardin chairs the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee.