CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey praised a decision by California federal court to uphold the Trump administration's Navigable Waters Protection Rule.
Morrisey said that the California federal court agreed with the stance that a 23-state coalition led by West Virginia and Georgia took regarding the rule, denying a request to stop the rule from going into effect next week.
"Our motion to intervene in this matter ensures that our nation maintains high water quality standards while minimizing the regulatory and economic impact on farmers, job creators and landowners," Morrisey said. "This is an important victory at an early stage in this case that makes us even more confident about the strength of our position as the case moves forward."
Morrisey applauded the law.
"Upholding the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule will give greater certainty to farmers and landowners with predictable and reasonable lines between waters subject to federal and state regulation," Morrisey said.
Morrisey also said the coalition of states felt the rule was balanced and responsible.
“West Virginia and our partners contended the Trump administration’s rule strikes the proper balance between the roles of federal regulators and states in protecting land and water resources in that it shows respect for the primary responsibility and right of states to regulate their own water resources," Morrisey said. "The Trump administration rule also corrects flaws within the Obama-era regulation, which extended the authority of the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers far beyond what Congress intended and the Constitution permits."
U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg noted in his denial order that the cities and states that opposed the rule were not able to demonstrate that it violated the Clean Water Act or that it caused enough damage to the environment to justify him issuing a preliminary injunction.
Morrisey has been a national leader in fighting against the Obama-era regulation since its issuance in June 2015.