A federal judge in North Dakota has issued a temporary injunction against a federal rule in 24 U.S. states that aimed to protect thousands of small streams, wetlands, and other waterways. The states that filed a lawsuit against the new rule argued that it was an example of federal overreach and placed undue burdens on farmers and ranchers. A U.S. District Court judge granted an injunction on the regulations, pending the lawsuit’s outcome. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig praised the decision, saying, “The court’s decision to grant an injunction on the Biden Administration’s Waters of the United States rule is very welcome news for Iowa agriculture. This rule is too broad, too burdensome, too intrusive and far too costly. I want to commend Iowa Attorney General Bird for leading the legal fight to overturn the rule. Iowa farmers must be able to freely operate using modern farming practices, and we do not need this unworkable bureaucratic decree hindering our efforts to accelerate the adoption of proven conservation and water quality practices.” Supporters of the rule argue that it provides clarity and protects the environment, while opponents say it is an excessive federal overreach and imposes unnecessary regulations on farmers and landowners.
