A Wyoming Rancher’s Case Shows Why So Many Businesses are Worried About EPA’s Water Rule
Wyoming rancher Andy Johnson wanted to build a pond on his property for his cattle. He got the necessary state permits and did it. Cattle now drink from the pond, and birds and fish call it home.
But Johnson didn’t ask federal officials if he could build the pond. EPA came along and told him he had to fill it in. Johnson refused and is being fined $37,000 per day by the agency.
Johnson’s fight with the federal government illustrates why there has been such outcry over EPA’s new water rule, the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS)–a rule that extends federal jurisdiction over nearly every body of water in the United States.
Johnson now owes more than $16 million in fines.
EPA acknowledges that constructing and maintaining stock ponds don’t require federal permits under the Clean Water Act. But the agency argues the exemption doesn’t apply in this case because it claims Johnson built the pond in a navigable water, The Washington Times reports:
Read the article “A Wyoming Rancher’s Case Shows Why So Many Businesses are Worried About EPA’s Water Rule” on uschamber.com.
