The U.S. District Court of North Dakota issued a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration from implementing its final rule redefining the Waters of the United States in 24 states.
The court’s move comes in response to a motion filed by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen.
According to the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, estimates from the similar Obama-era rule would have placed nearly 90 percent of Montana’s land under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency.
“This injunction resulting from our lawsuit is welcome relief to farmers and ranchers and workers in mining, energy, and other industries who would be harmed if this unconstitutional rule is allowed to take effect,” Attorney General Knudsen says.
“This is just the first step to stopping the overreaching WOTUS rule.” Knudsen also says he will continue to fight the Biden administration and prevent them from claiming federal jurisdiction over massive swaths of land and water.