WOTUS Lawsuit Filed by AG Pt 2

WOTUS Lawsuit Filed by AG Pt 2

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
I'm Bob Larson. Even though our state Attorney General has involved Washington in a lawsuit with 9 other states against the Trump Administration for putting a 2-year delay on the Waters of the U.S. rule, there are others who believe the hold is necessary.

Representative Dan Newhouse says will give the EPA the time to make necessary changes to the WOTUS rule ...

NEWHOUSE ... "So, this would give more clarity, certainly give more certainty to those people that farm and ranch. In my humble opinion, I think the WOTUS rule really was, essentially a power grab by the federal government that overstepped its intended responsibility and authority. You know, the states under the clean water act already have authority for many of these intermittent bodies of water and the federal government should only regulate those things it was intended for it to regulate."

I asked the Sunnyside Republican if he had any feel for how this challenge might turn out ...

NEWHOUSE ... "Well, that remains to be seen. I guess currently, as far as the makeup of Congress and the Administration goes, I think we're on strong legal footing here for the Administration to require EPA to reformulate its rules, taking into account some of these better definitions of navigable waters, but it remains to be seen what happens in the courts."

The 2-year delay will give the EPA time to reconsider and rewrite the 2015 rule while the Clean Water Act will continue to be enforced under a 1980s definition.

Many farm groups worry the WOTUS rule will expand the act's jurisdiction beyond reasonable expectations and expose farmers to lawsuits for routine activities.

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