Lincoln--Attorney General Doug Peterson welcomed the news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are proposing a rule to rescind the Clean Water Rule and restore the regulatory text that existed prior to 2015 when “waters of the U.S.” (or WOTUS) were redefined. 

"Today’s action by the EPA provides for farmers, ranchers, and landowners in Nebraska who will be able to operate with greater understanding, unburdened by unnecessary regulation and obstacles,” said General Peterson.

The 2015 rule attempted to greatly expand and bring numerous isolated bodies of water under the jurisdiction of the EPA and Corps resulting in landowners needing to secure additional federal permits or face substantial fines and federal criminal enforcement actions. 

In June 2015, General Peterson joined with Attorneys General from twelve other states in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when the new rule was released.

“It is the individual State's primary responsibility to regulate land and water resources and Nebraska has a history of environmentally protecting its lands," added General Peterson, "Today’s action pushes back on federal authority over private lands.”