Republicans Ask EPA to Delay WOTUS Rulemaking until Supreme Court Case is Complete

The entirety of the Republican Senate has asked EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to suspend new rulemaking on definitions under the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. 50 senators have voiced their desire to await a pending outcome of a Clean Water Act case before the Supreme Court. The court involves an Idaho couple and their long-standing battle with the EPA to decide whether the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals followed proper tests for deciding if wetlands are included as a “waters of the United States”.

The case involves a wetland on a two-thirds acre housing lot that could have significant ramifications for farmers, ranchers and other landowners when it comes to determining the proper test for defining whether a wetland is considered under WOTUS. Penning a letter to EPA, the action shows rare solidarity from senators on the issue.

Read more on WOTUS and definitions here.