Obama's Clean Water Act blocked hours before taking effect

A North Dakota federal judge blocked the Obama Administration's controversial water pollution rule just hours before taking effect.

MUNTINLUPA CITY, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Judge Ralph Erickson of the District Court for the District of North Dakota discovered 13 states are suing to block the controversial Obama water pollution rule. The rule has met the necessary conditions for a preliminary injunction, including that it would be harmful if the courts didn't act. The rule is likely to succeed if underlying lawsuits supporting the blockage of the water rule did not continue.

The judge's decision is a major hindrance for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers, who were already beginning their plans last Friday to begin the enforcement of the Waters of the United States Rule. The Rule was meant to expand federal jurisdiction over small waterways, such as streams and wetlands around America, but was blocked just hours before it was to be implemented.

The block is only enforced in the 13 states that requested its injunction, according to the Obama administration. The Rule will continue in the other states as planned.

"Once the rule takes effect, the states will lose their sovereignty over intrastate waters that will then be subject to the scope of the Clean Water Act," Erickson wrote in his order. "While the exact amount of land that would be subject to the increase is hotly disputed, the agencies admit to an increase in control over those traditional state-regulated waters of between 2.84 to 4.65 percent. Immediately upon the rule taking effect, the rule will irreparably diminish the states' power over their waters."

He claims the interpretation of the Water Rule is "exceptionally expansive."

The League of Conservation Voters expressed their disappointment over the ruling against the Obama Water Rule. Madeleine Foote, the group's legislative representative, is in favor of the water ruling implementation and stated, "This is a terrible decision for the 1 in 3 Americans who have already been waiting too long for these vital protections for their drinking water."

"The District Court for North Dakota's decision puts the interests of big polluters over people in need of clean water."
 

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