COALITION WINS PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ON WATER RULE

12 Apr COALITION WINS PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ON WATER RULE

April 12, 2023

_{CONTACT: Suzie Weigel 701.328.2210 snweigel@nd.gov}

BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley announces that the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota today issued a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency from implementing its final rule redefining Waters
of the United States (WOTUS).

“Federal Judge Hovland’s ruling stops the Biden Administration’s blatant overreach and disrespect for the states’ constitutional and statutory authority in the regulation of our water and waterways,” said Attorney General Drew Wrigley. “We are heartened by this important victory on behalf of NorthDakota’s farmers, ranchers, developers and communities, and we will continue to push back against the Federal government’s regulatory overreach.”

In February, Attorney General Wrigley co-led a coalition of 24 states in a lawsuit against the EPA, asking a federal court to vacate the newly published final rule redefining WOTUS and declare it unlawful. North Dakota, West Virginia, Georgia and Iowa co-led the court battle and were joined by Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

Read a copy of today’s federal court order at: https://bit.ly/41pZYVp.

###