Walden cheers court’s halt to EPA waterways rule

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., issued this statement Friday after a federal appeals court put a halt to the Environmental Protection Agency’s new Waters of the United States rule, which he warned “would massively expand the federal government’s authority over waterways within the U.S.”

“The court’s decision is a victory for farmers, ranchers, and property owners in rural Oregon and throughout the nation. This power grab would have expanded federal authority over virtually any water in the nation, including canals, irrigation ditches, vernal pools, and stock ponds.

“I have long said that this blatant federal overreach would drastically increase uncertainty and threaten jobs and livelihoods in struggling rural communities,” Walden said. “Now that the court has spoken, I call on the Administration to permanently withdraw this flawed proposal. It’s time to ditch this rule.”

On May 12, the House — with Walden’s strong support — passed the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (H.R. 1732), which requires the EPA to withdraw the rule.