Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe had nothing but praise for the Trump administration’s move to repeal the controversial WOTUS rule created by the Obama administration. But during the same Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing this week, one New Mexico official expressed concern about the impact it will have on her state.
“It is not an overstatement to say that the Obama-era WOTUS rule was the greatest regulatory burden facing farmers and ranchers in my state and other states across America,” said the Senator as he spoke during the hearing.
“Unfortunately, the previous administration believed that Washington bureaucrats were better equipped than Oklahomans to keep our land and water clean and preserved for future generations. They were wrong, and I am proud that, with President Trump, we finally have a president that has the back of our farmers and rancher,” added the Senator.
The hearing was entitled “Stakeholder Reactions: The Navigable Waters Protection Rule under the Clean Water Act.” It was held after the Waters of the U.S. rule was repealed in the fall of last year.
But Rebecca Roose, Water Protection Division Director of the New Mexico Environment Department had a different opinion.
“NMED estimates that nearly 90% of New Mexico’s rivers and streams and a significant portion of wetlands may no longer benefit from federal protections. Without a state regulatory program in place to close the gap, these waters and the communities that rely on them are vulnerable to increased pollution and declining water quality,” she stated.
“The Environment Department will continue to fight for policies and protections that ensure a clean water supply for drinking water, agriculture, recreation and wildlife.”
Sources: Sen Inhofe/NMENV