"The Western Governors' Association is asking President Trump not to impede states' abilities to veto Clean Water Act permits.
In a letter to President Trump, the association's chairman and vice chairman, Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), urge Trump to tell federal agencies "to reject any changes to agency rules, guidance or policy that may diminish, impair, or subordinate states' well-established sovereign and statutory authorities to protect water quality within their boundaries."
The letter is a response to reports last week that the administration is considering executive actions to boost pipeline development across the country — a move that could include changes to states' ability to block permits under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act."