Lawmakers stand up for South Dakota waterways after EPA ruling

South Dakota’s congressional delegation is standing up for South Dakota waterways in the face of Wednesday's ruling on the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

Representative Kristi Noem says the announcement could mean that small ditches, prairie potholes, and streams that only run during heavy rains could now be subject to Clean Water Act regulations.

U.S. Senator John Thune criticized the sweeping regulation from the Obama administration, saying the Environmental Protection Agency's final WOTUS rule is just another power grab.

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds says the new rule gives the federal government expanded jurisdiction that infringes on private landowner rights.

Farmers and ranchers are concerned about the compliance costs the rule could have on their home grown operations. Some estimates find that landowners who fail compliance could face penalties of more than $30,000 dollars per day.