Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement that it is repealing the overreaching Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule:
“The Obama-era WOTUS rule was an example of the worst kind of regulatory overreach. It was the product of radical environmentalists seeking to impose their left-wing agenda on America’s heartland—especially on the farmers and ranchers in places like Missouri. Their 2015 rule intended to heap heavy-handed regulations on every puddle of water and drainage ditch on private farm land.
“Farmers take much better care of their own land than the bureaucrats in Washington ever could. As Attorney General of Missouri, I helped lead the effort to fight against the burdensome WOTUS rule. Now as a Senator, I’m proud to support President Trump in rolling it back and restoring the original intent of the Clean Water Act. With this step, we can create a more uniform system for local farmers and communities to move forward.”