Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 6/30/15


A group of 13 states led by North Dakota filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court against the Environmental Protection Agency to throw out a rule expanding the agency’s jurisdiction over waterways, according to a post on North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s website.

The agency said the Clean Water Rule aims to clarify which bodies of water are protected under the 1972 Clean Water Act and relies on scientific studies that showed small streams and wetlands play an important role in the health of larger downstream waterways like rivers and lakes.

However, agricultural interests are calling it an overreach.

The other states include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, South Dakota and Wyoming.

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