Cramer to Host Trump Administration Officials for First in Nation WOTUS Listening Session

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have announced a proposed rule, Updated Definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The proposed rule clarifies definitions after the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA limited the federal government's jurisdiction over water according to the Clean Water Act.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, will host the U.S. EPA Office of Water and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the nation's first WOTUS listening session in Bismarck on Friday, Dec. 12.

"North Dakotans know the impacts of a good WOTUS rule better than anyone,"said Cramer. "This listening session is a great opportunity for North Dakotans to help craft the final rule and bring their feedback directly to EPA and Army Corps officials. I encourage North Dakotans to make their voices heard at the listening session and by submitting public comments throughout the rulemaking process."

Cramer has been a longtime supporter of a clear, durable WOTUS rule throughout his time in Congress. In March, he joined EPA at its announcement of the pre-rulemaking guidance. At the event, he highlighted the North Dakota farmers, ranchers, and landowners who "have always managed their water with the same respect as their land."

Earlier this spring, he questioned Administrator Zeldin on the role of cooperative federalism, at his nomination hearing. During the Biden administration, Cramer repeatedly questioned witnesses at EPW hearings on the Biden WOTUS rule. Cramer also sent a letter in June 2023 calling on the Biden administration to provide a "clear and swift change in administrative direction" regarding its then-pending WOTUS rule to adhere to the Supreme Court's ruling. In April 2022, Cramer joined 200 of his Congressional colleagues in filing an amicus brief supporting Sackett petitioners. Additionally, in February 2022, Cramer and his Republican EPW colleagues sent a letter requesting the Biden administration halt its plans to finalize its WOTUS rule until the Supreme Court decided Sackett. Weeks earlier, he joined a related effort alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).

The listening session will be livestreamed on Cramer's YouTube page. Additional information regarding the Bismarck event and future listening sessions can be found on EPA's website. The WOTUS rulemaking public comment page can be found here; the public comment period ends on Jan. 5.