Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) joined his Republican colleagues on a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael L. Connor to denounce the new "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule. 

"Biden's WOTUS rule presents new regulatory challenges for farmers and ranchers, allowing government overreach into their dry creek beds and mud puddles," said Rep. Rosendale. "Montana’s agricultural community has a proud tradition of responsible stewardship and conservation of our land and water. I intend to lead the fight against this rule like the third monkey trying to get on Noah's ark – and it's starting to rain."

The new WOTUS rule is intentionally vague, adding to the regulatory uncertainty and litigation that surrounds the scope of federal authority over our nation’s waters. The letter demands the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rescind the rule and postpone any subsequent agency action on WOTUS to allow the Supreme Court to issue an opinion on Sackett v EPA.

"The American people deserve certainty and an assurance that existing rules and regulations will not fluctuate with the threat of criminal penalties and significant financial hardship for failing to abide by the ever-changing rules," the letter states. "This new WOTUS definition will only increase regulatory uncertainty and worsen conditions for farmers, ranchers, job creators, and landowners."

This letter was led by Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Reps. Mike Bost (IL-12) and David Rouzer (NC-07), and Congressional Western Caucus Vice Chair Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) along with 192 other House Republicans.

Read the full letter here.