"Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump Rule Governing Water Pollution"

"The rule allowed fertilizers, pesticides and industrial chemicals to flow into small streams, marshes and wetlands. The judge warned of environmental harm."

"WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Monday struck down a Trump-era environmental rule that drastically limited federal restrictions against pollution of millions of streams, wetlands and marshes across the country.

The Biden administration had already begun the lengthy process of undoing the policy, which President Donald J. Trump established in 2020 to please real estate developers and farmers. Mr. Trump’s policy allowed the discharge of pollutants such as fertilizers, pesticides and industrial chemicals into smaller streams and wetlands.

But on Monday, Judge Rosemary Márquez of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona found “fundamental, substantive flaws” with the Trump administration’s policy and said that it was in conflict with the 1972 Clean Water Act. She warned of the “possibility of serious environmental harm” if the Trump rule remained in place."

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times August 30, 2021.

SEE ALSO:

"Trump-Era Rule Limiting Water Protections Vacated by Judge" (Bloomberg Environment)

"Federal Judge Throws Out Trump Administration Rule Allowing The Draining And Filling Of Streams, Marshes And Wetlands" (Washington Post)

"Judge Sinks Trump WOTUS Rule" (E&E News)

Source: NYTimes, 08/31/2021