Labrador Issues Statement On Ruling By Federal Judge Blocking Federal Water Grab

Statement

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson issued a temporary injunction blocking a controversial Obama Administration rule that would vastly expand federal jurisdiction by rewriting the four-decade-old definition of "navigable waters"under the Clean Water Act. The "waters of the United States" rule was scheduled to take effect today. The judge said the rule posed an imminent risk of irreparable harm to 13 states, including Idaho, which sought the injunction.

Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, who has been working on a legislative solution since the rule was proposed in 2014, issued the following statement:

"Thursday's injunction will temporarily stop the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers from implementing one of the worst water grabs in American history, a rule that could require Idahoans to obtain a federal permit to dig a ditch or till their land.

"The Obama Administration seems determined to usurp state authority. The administration ignored states' opposition and didn't take the hint to revise the rule after a bill opposing the regulation passed the House with bipartisan support in May.

"My hope is that the courts will permanently strike down this executive branch overreach, which Judge Erickson called "exceptionally expansive.' Meanwhile, I will continue to work with my colleagues on a legislative remedy that protects the rights of the states and ordinary Americans trying to make a living."

Source