Trump Administration Rolls Back Clean Water Protections

The Primary: The EPA announced they are rescinding Obama-era protections on water saying the regulations amounted to “federal overreach.”

• Who? What? Why?: The Waters of the United States rule, in an effort to stifle water pollution, tightened regulations on farming techniques, requiring farmers to obtain a permit in order to use certain fertilizers. Now, according to Andrew Wheeler, EPA administrator, courts will handle potential damages to water sources on a case by case basis.

• The Baseline: The roll back of this bill joins a long list of Trump roll-backs on environmental protections. While some believe the rules are made in an effort to protect the environment, the Trump administration argues they are stifling industry.