Source: MEATINGPLACE, 1/14/16

The U.S. House on Wednesday passed a bill aimed at preventing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from extending its jurisdiction over more U.S. waterways through a controversial new regulation dubbed Waters of the United States (WOTUS).

The Senate in November passed the resolution of disapproval, and the legislation now heads to President Barack Obama’s desk for signature. However, Obama is widely expected veto the bill.

A federal court has suspended nationwide implementation of the rule pending numerous legal challenges from states and agriculture groups that call it an overreach.

The rule was proposed in April 2014 by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clarify their authority under the Clean Water Act over various waters. That jurisdiction had included “navigable” waters and waters with a significant hydrologic connection to navigable waters.

The WOTUS rule, which took effect in August, expanded jurisdiction to include, among other water bodies, upstream waters and streams such as those that farmers use for drainage and irrigation. It also encompasses lands adjacent to such waters.

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