Craig Richardson, president of the Energy & Environment Legal Institute (E&E Legal), issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announcement today regarding its plans to rescind the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule:

“Earlier this year, President Trump took a significant step in returning sanity to environmental regulatory rule making by remanding the Obama-era centralized federal power grab known as the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corp of Engineers.  With its broad definition and draconian regulations, the WOTUS rule was an attack on property rights, an affront to small businesses, and an undue burden on America’s farmers and ranchers.  Today, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering, are proposing a rule to rescind WOTUS, removing a major roadblock to economic growth.  We applaud Administrator Pruitt for taking the lead on restoring balance to how Washington conducts its regulatory practice, and for the anticipated relief for America’s hardworking ranchers, farmers, and small businesses owners.”

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