U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines released the following statement after a federal district court blocked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing its new regulation broadly expanding the definition of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule:
“Today’s order is further proof that the EPA’s latest power grab is not only a direct threat to Montanans’ livelihoods, but to our Constitutional rights. This rule could have devastating impacts on Montana farmers and ranchers, our natural resource industries, Montanans’ property rights and Montana jobs. I’m thankful for Attorney General Tim Fox’s continued leadership on this critical issue and his work to delay the Obama administration from implementing its new WOTUS regulations.”
The EPA’s expanded WOTUS rule was scheduled to take effect tomorrow, August 28, 2015. An order issued today by U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Erickson delays implementation of the rule until ongoing litigation, led by Montana Attorney General Tim Fox and 12 other states, is fully decided.
Daines is a cosponsor of S. 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act that would direct the EPA and Corps to issue a revised WOTUS rule that protects traditional navigable water from water pollution, while also protecting farmers, ranchers and private landowners.