Long applauds EPA, U.S. Army Repeal of 2015 Rule Defining "Waters of the United States"

Statement

Yesterday, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Department of the Army Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James announced that the agencies are repealing a 2015 rule that impermissibly expanded the definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act.

"The repeal of this rule is a win for farmers, ranchers, and businesses across America," said Rep. Long. "The WOTUS rule sought to regulate even the smallest bodies of water including ditches, storm runoff, private ponds, and even land that remained dry for most of the year. I applaud President Trump for following through on his commitment to repeal this burdensome rule."

Established in 2015, the WOTUS rule greatly expanded what the federal government considered to be "waters of the United States." The EPA will now work to make a new rule that more clearly defines which bodies of water can be regulated under the Clean Water Act.

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