NAWG is pleased by the thoughtful action of the North Dakota district court late Thursday to block implementation of the Waters of the U.S. regulation. The parties involved in the temporary injunction will not be subject to the new rule, effective today, and instead will be subject to prior regulation. Regarding the court’s action, NAWG President, Brett Blankenship made the following statement:

“NAWG is encouraged by the action taken in the North Dakota district court to approve a temporary injunction against the Waters of the U.S. regulation.  This decision provides breathing room for grower concerns to be discussed in the courts without enforcement of the Environmental Protection Agency’s draconian new rule hanging over the heads of our nation’s family farmers.

We will watch closely the ongoing lawsuits and call on Congress to take action to address the regulation in a comprehensive manner.  It is time for action to send the regulation back to the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to be rewritten.  Wheat growers support clean water and know the importance of protecting the natural resources that sustain our farming operations, feed our families and feed a growing world population.  The Waters of the U.S. regulation expands the reach of the Clean Water act and falls short in providing clarity to growers.”