Search

EPA’s ‘Waters of the US’ Rule Blocked in 13 States

Posted on 8/28/2015 by Roger Marks

Updated (10/09/15): On October 9, 2015, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an Order of Stay, effectively blocking EPA’s new Clean Water regulation nationwide until legal challenges are settled. 



Updated (09/04/14): On Friday, September 4, Federal judge Ralph Erickson clarified that the "Waters of the US" rule is blocked in only the thirteen US states listed in the injuction, not nationwide (see the map below). 

One day before EPA’s new “Waters of the US Rule” was set to take effect, a Federal judge has issued an injunction to block implementation of the new law in 13 US states.

In an 18-page decision, North Dakota Federal judge Ralph Erickson says the rule suffers from a “fatal defect” and that EPA “has violated its Congressional grant of authority in its promulgation of this rule.”

At this time, EPA says it plans to enforce the new rule as planned in states not included in the injunction.

The rule will not be enforced in the following states until the issue has been decided: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Map of the thirteen states that blocked US EPA’s new Clean Water Act rule

Finalized on June 29, 2015, the new rule puts more bodies of water under the scope of the US EPA’s Clean Water Act. The rule affects industry compliance with water programs like oil spill prevention and reporting, permit regulations, and more. Read more about the Waters of the US Rule here.

Tags: Act, Clean, EPA, new rules, Water, WOTUS

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

I will never go anywhere, but to Lion Technology.

Dawn Swofford

EHS Technician

No comparison. Lion has the best RCRA training ever!!

Matt Sabine

Environmental Specialist

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Excellent course. Very interactive. Explanations are great whether you get the questions wrong or right.

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

Lion is my preferred trainer for hazmat and DOT.

Jim Jani

Environmental Coordinator

The instructor was very engaging and helped less experienced people understand the concepts.

Steve Gall

Safety Leader

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide to spot which tanks and substances are regulated under EPA's Underground Storage Tank program, and which are excluded as of October 2018.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.