EPA Seeks To Repeal WOTUS

Administrator Scott Pruitt told lawmakers Tuesday that the EPA has sent its repeal of the Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS) to the federal register, beginning the process of ending the regulation.  During a Senate budget hearing Tuesday, Pruitt told lawmakers the measure was being sent to the federal register the same day.

The formal withdraw of the Obama-era rule follows through on a campaign promise by President Trump, who signed an executive order requiring an EPA review of the rule. While the regulation went into effect in August of 2015, a federal court put the rule on hold.  EPA intends to follow the federal rulemaking process in repealing the rule, meaning the process should take at least a year to repeal and replace.

The notice of repeal by the EPA was met by celebration from agriculture groups, including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Association of state Departments of Agriculture, and many others.

“WOTUS is one of the most burdensome EPA rules of the Obama Administration. You think about the impact it’s had on rural communities, on our cattlemen and farmers— it’s making it more and more difficult for hardworking Americans to be successful,” said Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.” It’s something I’ve heard about frequently in Eastern Washington. Thank you to President Trump and his administration for taking action to ensure this rule no longer targets our rural communities.”

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