Graves Issues Statement after WOTUS Blocked in Federal Court

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves issued the following statement after a federal court ruled to stop the President's Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule from being implemented nationwide. In August the administration's attempt to regulate ponds and streams on private property was blocked in 13 states, including Missouri.

"With this rule, the Obama administration and the EPA were trying to rewrite standing law in order to take control over private property," Rep. Graves said. "It's simply outrageous. But a federal court has now deemed the President's actions on WOTUS illegal for the second time in two months, and I am confident today's ruling will help us stop the rule once and for all."

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In April of 2014, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jointly released a proposed rule to clarify protection of streams and wetlands under the Clean Water Act (CWA), forming WOTUS. The rule was developed without the EPA first consulting state and local authorities, and without realistically examining the potential economic impact on private citizens, farmers, and other stakeholders.

Earlier this year, Graves helped introduce the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, which requires the EPA to withdraw WOTUS and gather stakeholder input before issuing any new rule. The bill passed the House but remains stalled in the Senate.

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