U.S. Rep. McSally Applauds Ruling to Halt Expansive EPA Water Rule

Statement

A U.S. District Court judge in North Dakota late yesterday issued a temporary injunction against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers' Waters of the U.S rule, calling it "exceptionally expansive." The ruling blocks implementation of the rule in 13 states that requested the injunction, including Arizona, a day before it was set to take effect.

"I'm glad to see the courts recognize the EPA's gross overreach and act to halt a mandate that will harm ranchers, business owners, and families in Southern Arizona," said Rep. McSally. "We all want to ensure protection of our waterways and natural resources, but this one-size-fits-all requirement from Washington that doesn't take into account Arizona's unique landscapes is the wrong answer. Southern Arizonans are looking for solutions that will provide more economic opportunity for them, not more red tape, and I'll continue standing up for their priorities in Congress."

On May 28, Rep. McSally joined Southern Arizona community and business leaders to express concern that the final EPA water rule would harm local economic growth without protecting Arizona waterways. Earlier that month, Rep. McSally voted in favor of H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, legislation to require EPA withdraw their rule expanding the definition of "waters of the United States" and develop a new proposal that takes into consideration the over one million public comments on the rule, economic analysis of the rule, and discussions with state and local governments. That bill passed the House 261-155 with 24 Democrats voting in favor of the legislation.

States that requested and are receiving the injunction include: North Dakota, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, South Dakota and Wyoming.

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