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EPA’s McCarthy continues WOTUS defense

The EPA’s controversial Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule came up for discussion Wednesday at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on EPA’s fiscal year 2017 budget request.

EPA administrator Gina McCarthy was asked why the EPA hasn’t done more to address the concerns that farmers and ranchers have with WOTUS.

“I think we tried very hard to try to address their concerns in the Clean Water Rule that we put forward,” McCarthy said. “We will see what the courts say when they look in detail at the merits and will do our best. Hopefully, it will succeed in striking through the courts.  We’re confident of that.”

McCarthy said her agency will continue to work with those in agriculture to “provide the level of certainty they’re looking for”.

“Clearly we have work to do to bridge the gap between how people are perceiving this rule and what we think is the clear, written rule when you look at it and look at its merits,” she said.

Last fall, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the WOTUS rule, blocking its implementation.