SENATORS ISAKSON, PERDUE APPLAUD COURT FOR BLOCKING OBAMA’S HARMFUL EPA WATER REGULATION

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit rules in favor of Georgia, 17 states

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 14, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., today issued the following statement applauding the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for ruling in favor of Georgia and 17 other states in granting a nationwide stay of the Obama administration’s onerous “Waters of the United States” rule:

“Halting this regulation until legal issues are addressed makes sense and is a good step, but we must continue our work to overturn it for good. Senator Perdue and I co-sponsored a resolution in September to overturn this regulation that is harmful to not only landowners, but to our entire agriculture industry in Georgia,” said Isakson. “This regulation — one of many overreaches by this administration — would allow federal bureaucrats to assert control over thousands of streams, creeks, wetlands, ponds and ditches throughout the country.”

“Today’s decision is good news for Georgia farmers and landowners,” said Senator Perdue. “President Obama’s outrageous attempt at increasing federal regulation on cities, counties, farmers, and private landowners should be struck down and I’m glad the court is blocking this blatant government overreach. Under President Obama, we have seen the growth of a fourth branch of government—the regulators—and I will keep fighting to rein in intrusive regulations like this ‘Waters of the United States’ rule.”

Today’s court ruling is a response to Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens’ request for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to enter a nationwide order prohibiting the Environmental Protections Agency, or EPA, from enforcing its “Waters of the United States” rule. In addition, Attorney General Olens is also challenging the “Waters of the United States” rule in a case brought in the U.S. District for the Southern District of Georgia that is now on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Last month, Senators Isakson and Perdue, along with 45 Senate co-sponsors, introduced a joint resolution to overturn and disapprove this onerous rule. Senators Isakson and Perdue also co-sponsored the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, which would direct the EPA to develop a different rule and consult with states, local governments, and small businesses. This legislation would also prevent federal agencies from using the “Waters of the United States” rule to control land.