Source: PRESS RELEASE, 8/28/15

Today, Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-TX), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after North Dakota District Court Judge Ralph Erickson issued a preliminary injunction to halt the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule from being implemented in 13 states. It would affect Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

“I am pleased with yesterday’s decision by a federal judge to prevent this disastrous rule from going into effect. Throughout the development of the WOTUS rule, I have been concerned with the Obama Administration’s complete disregard for rural America. Unless the EPA and Corps pull the rule and start over by first consulting farmers, ranchers, and States, WOTUS remains nothing but a gross overreach that punishes the very people it was intended to help. The House Agriculture Committee will continue working to protect the rights of agricultural producers and small businesses across the U.S. and stop the implementation of this rule.”

In March, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing to review the impact of WOTUS on rural America. Chairman Conaway and Subcommittee Chairman Glenn 'GT’ Thompson (R-PA) have also released previous statements on the rule.