EPA Moves To Repeal Obama Administration’s Clean Water Rule.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Cops of Engineers are moving forward with plans to repeal the Clean Water Rule, an Obama-era water pollution regulation that’s long been on the Trump Administration’s chopping block.
The Obama Administration signed the Clean Water Rule in 2015, extending existing pollution protections of larger bodies of water under the Clean Water Act of 1972 to include all “navigable waters,” including smaller bodies such as rivers, streams, and wetlands.
“It is in the national interest to ensure that that the Nation’s navigable waters are kept free from pollution, while at the same time promoting economic growth, minimizing, regulatory uncertainty, and showing due regard for the roles of the Congress and the States under the Constitution,” the order read.
The Clean Water Rule provides for the protection of about 60 percent of the nation’s bodies of water.
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said by rescinding the rule, the government will restore power to states, farmers, and businesses.
Environmentalists opposed the Trump Administration’s rescission of the rule.
“Repealing the Clean Water Rule turns the mission of the EPA on its head: Instead of safeguarding our drinking water, Scott Pruitt is proposing to stop protecting drinking water sources for 1 in 3 Americans,” Rumpler said.
“It defies common sense, sound science, and the will of the American people.” Clean Water Action President and CEO Bob Wendelgass also released a statement, saying that the only people who stand to gain from the Clean Water Rule repeal are special interest groups.
Americans understand that–yet President Trump and Scott Pruitt don’t seem to.” Marcus is an editorial intern at Law Street.