LaMalfa Applauds EPA Repeal of WOTUS Rule

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency repealed the Obama Administration's 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and replaced it with a new rule that provides more certainty for landowners and farmers across the nation.

LaMalfa said: "After listening to those directly impacted by one of the previous Administration's most harmful rules, the EPA is replacing WOTUS with something that actually makes sense for land and business owners. Instead of attempting to needlessly regulate every puddle, ditch, and furrow in America, the new rule will focus on bodies of water and wetlands that are physically and meaningfully connected to other bodies of jurisdictional water. Now, those driving our economy will spend less time and money on land-use decisions and litigation and more time on running their business. States will finally have a clear definition of where federal jurisdiction ends and begins, as well as the ability to properly manage their own water. WOTUS was nothing short of a job-killing Washington power grab, and I'm glad to see it replaced with something that works."

Rep. Doug LaMalfa speaks after the Signing Ceremony of the EPA's proposed WOTUS replacement rule announcement. (photo credit: EPA)

Congressman LaMalfa has fought the WOTUS rule since its inception, sponsoring legislation to defund it while working with the Agriculture Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to roll back the regulation.

Shortly after taking office, President Trump quickly took action by issuing an Executive Order requiring the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to begin dismantling the Obama era WOTUS rule.

In 2017, Congressman LaMalfa rallied the Chairmen of the Agriculture and Judiciary Committees to urge the Administration to review the case of California farmer John Duarte, who, thanks to the WOTUS rule, is facing $2.8 million in penalties simply for plowing his fields.

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