Federal Judge Deals Major Defeat to Biden's Waters of the U.S. Rule

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the Biden administration's new definition of U.S. waters for 24 states.
The judge ruled the Biden administration likely overstepped its authority under the Clean Water Act in crafting the rule.
Implementation of the rule is now on hold as the legal challenge moves forward, dealing an early defeat to one of Biden's major environmental policies.
Farming and business groups had strongly opposed the rule, while environmental groups had supported the Biden administration's move to redefine protected waterways.
The rule had aimed to re-establish protections for seasonal streams and wetlands, which were removed under Trump's Navigable Waters Protection Rule.