24 Republican AGs Sue Feds Over Clean Water Rules

February 17, 2023 Environment, Republicans

West Virginia and 23 other Republican-led states sued the federal government on Thursday, alleging the Biden administration’s rule establishing protections for seasonal streams and wetlands under a landmark environmental law violates the U.S. Constitution and sows confusion for landowners.

“This is a textbook case of federal overreach,” said Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia’s attorney general, during a press conference. The lawsuit filed in North Dakota federal court seeks to stop the rule, which defines which of the so-called “Waters of the United States” are regulated under the Clean Water Act, from taking effect next month.

Finalized in December, the rule protects waterways that have a “significant nexus” to navigable U.S. waters – a standard that ranchers, developers and other industry groups have said is overly broad and creates burdensome permitting and regulatory hurdles.

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24 Republican-led states sue Biden administration over water regulations https://t.co/3bITDpNWud pic.twitter.com/MXFe65dSC5

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 17, 2023