Biden admin restores EPA rule that could regulate 'puddles and ditches'

The Biden administration approved regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency that revise the definition of "Waters of the United States" and clarifies what types of bodies of water are protected under the Clean Water Act. 

President Biden signed the regulations in late December, marking a return to the approach of the Obama administration after Trump narrowed the definitions to protect private property owners. The Trump guidelines faced legal scrutiny on the grounds that tributary waterways could affect larger bodies of water. District Court Judge Rosemary Marquez halted them on such grounds, per Fox News.

The Biden regulations expand federal protections of a slew of water bodies such as lakes and wetlands, but largely address any permanent navigable waterways.

California GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa took issue with the decision, per Fox, saying "[r]ural America doesn't need yet another rule giving the federal government more power over farming and private property. The federal government shouldn't have jurisdiction to regulate puddles, ditches, seasonal creeks or culverts. All this rule does is make it more difficult to grow food or build anything."

The Biden administration has attempted to rapidly expand its operations supposedly to protect the environment while pursuing climate related initiatives. In May of 2022, for example, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the establishment of an Environmental Justice Office.

In November of this year, President Biden told the United Nations that he would keep the U.S. on track to reduce emissions in line with the expectations of the Paris Climate Agreement and further pledged billions in funding to aid developing nations in responding to climate change.