Murkowski Praises Court Decision to Delay Implementation of WOTUS
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a nationwide stay against the enforcement of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule:
“Today’s decision to put a national hold on the controversial WOTUS rule is further good news for opponents of the EPA’s culture of overreach. I’ve been fighting to reign in the EPA and the harmful impacts the WOTUS rule could have on almost every corner of Alaska,” said Senator Murkowski. “I will continue my efforts to do my part to ensure this rule is never imposed on the state.”
The case in the Sixth Circuit is one of several nationally challenging the WOTUS rule. It involves 18 states not including Alaska. Alaska was one of 13 states originally granted a preliminary injunction in September by a North Dakota federal court which remains in place. Friday’s decision by the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals prevents the EPA from implementing the WOTUS rule nationwide.
Background: As Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murkowski has included a provision in the Fiscal Year 2016 funding bill that prohibits the EPA from using funds to implement the burdensome WOTUS rule.
