Governor Patrick Morrisey has sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of the Trump administration’s proposed update to the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The proposal seeks to revise regulations set by the Biden administration.
“The definition of WOTUS under the Biden EPA was pure government overreach that threatened West Virginia’s economy and our way of life,” said Governor Morrisey. “Since I was Attorney General, I have been fighting for a clear, consistent definition that aligns with court decisions and supports West Virginia’s authority to oversee local water resources.”
Morrisey previously led a coalition as West Virginia’s Attorney General challenging what he described as broad interpretations by the Biden EPA. He argued these did not comply with requirements from Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, 598 U.S. 651 (2023).
In his letter, Morrisey stated that the Trump administration is working to address issues from previous policies by narrowing WOTUS definitions. The updated rule would limit coverage to traditional navigable waters, permanent tributaries connected to those waters, and wetlands with continuous surface connections.
“I strongly support the steps taken by the Trump Administration to develop greater regulatory certainty, predictability, and consistency around the definition of WOTUS,” added Governor Morrisey. “West Virginia landowners and regulated businesses have been waiting to be free of the undue regulatory burden imposed by Joe Biden’s EPA.”
