BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), issued the following response after The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit decided to stay the implementation of the Clean Water Rule nationwide:

“In deciding to stay implementation of the Clean Water Rule, The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has endangered public health, our environment and our economy. This decision puts at risk the clean, safe, reliable water Marylanders and the Maryland economy rely on every day. Over half our nation’s stream miles and 20 million acres of wetlands are now without the protections afforded by the Clean Water Act. 

“The efforts to derail the Clean Water Rule – essential, commonsense guidance – have been nearly unparalleled. I hope the court moves swiftly to affirm the rule in its final decision and restores the invaluable protections needed for the drinking supplies of one in three Americans.‎”

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