AP 5-28,2015
Wyoming officials say they’re disappointed with water quality regulations the federal government released Wednesday.
The final rules EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy announced would extend federal authority over smaller waterways.
The rules face opposition from farmers and ranchers who say they would extend federal influence over private property.
Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead and members of the state’s congressional delegation issued say the federal government is overstepping its bounds.
Mead says he’s disappointed the EPA didn’t work with the states on developing the rules.
Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso is pushing legislation to require the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to revise the rule to exclude isolated ponds and ditches that don’t have enough flow to carry pollutants to navigable waters.
