WASHINGTON, D.C. (WVDN) — West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin today for the announcement of a groundbreaking proposed rule that would fundamentally reshape the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS), marking a pivotal shift in federal environmental regulation.
The proposed rule comes after years of regulatory confusion that has created significant challenges for West Virginia’s agricultural community, energy producers, and economic developers. The new framework seeks to establish a clear, durable, and common-sense definition of WOTUS that balances environmental protection with economic freedom and property rights.
“This is a monumental step toward protecting our farmers and developers, while continuing to protect our waterways in this country,” Attorney General McCuskey said. “WOTUS has become an example of government overreach at its worst, stifling production and creating uncertainty in West Virginia and nationwide. I am thankful to Administrator Zeldin and the Trump Administration for taking on this challenge to roll back this burdensome rule and for doing so with a measured, common-sense approach that respects both our environment and our economy.”
The longstanding WOTUS controversy has placed undue regulatory burdens on West Virginia’s farmers, landowners, and businesses, often subjecting routine land use activities to costly federal permitting processes. The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office secured a preliminary injunction against the Biden WOTUS rule. Now, the Trump Administration is rolling back the rule. The proposed reform aims to restore clarity and predictability to environmental regulations while maintaining critical protections for the nation’s waterways.
The proposed rule now enters a public comment period, during which stakeholders, industry representatives, environmental organizations, and citizens will have the opportunity to provide input on the regulatory framework.
