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

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

More thorough than a class I attended last year through another company.

Troy Yonkers

HSES Representative

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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 love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

The workshop covered a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Lion is much better, more comprehensive than other training providers.

George Alva

Manufacturing Manager

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

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

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

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.