Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has taken action in response to a South Carolina federal judge’s ruling that overturned Pres. Donald Trump’s attempt to delay the contentious Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

The judge’s decision reinstates the 2015 WOTUS rule immediately in Oklahoma and 25 other states.

Hunter led an alliance of organizations representing businesses in filing a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, asking a judge to grant an injunction to prevent the enforcing of the WOTUS rule while the legality of the rule is determined. Federal courts across the country have already granted similar injunctions in 24 other states.

Hunter said he vows to stand up for the rights of property owners in the state, who will be impacted by this burdensome rule.

“The illegal WOTUS rule is nothing more than bureaucratic overreach and places unnecessary federal requirements on hard working Oklahomans,” Hunter said. “This decision creates extreme regulatory ambiguity and negatively impacts farmers, ranchers and the rights of private property owners in the state and nation. Hopefully, the northern district will act quickly to prevent the enforcement of this impractical rule.”

The 2015 WOTUS rule expanded the federal government’s authority to regulate virtually all land and bodies of water across the United States. Prior to the rule change, the federal government’s jurisdiction was limited to interstate waters, or large bodies of water.

In the brief, Hunter stated, “These deprivations are unlawful because the broadened definition of “waters of the United States” exceeds the agencies’ authority under the Clean Water Act, the APA, the Commerce Clause and the Tenth Amendment. Unless this rule is enjoined as it has been elsewhere, plaintiffs will suffer irreparable harm that cannot be remedied by a final judgment.”

Cattlemen are upset with the ruling

Cattlemen are upset following a ruling by a judge in South Carolina in favor of WOTUS, which would take effect immediately in 26 states, including Texas and Oklahoma

 “(This) court ruling is a tremendous blow for ranchers and landowners who hoped the ill-conceived 2015 WOTUS rule had finally gone by the wayside,” said Robert McKnight, Jr., president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA).  “Cattle raisers in Texas, Oklahoma and 24 other states are again threatened by an Obama-era land grab that has the potential to regulate them out of business.

“In the three years since the rule change was proposed, ranchers and private property rights advocates nationwide have fought to maintain their rights in the face of this blatant federal overreach. We will continue the fight to protect the men and women who provide our country with a safe and abundant food supply and look forward to working with the current administration to finalize the repeal of the 2015 WOTUS rule.”