A judge in North Dakota has issued a preliminary injunction against a new EPA/Army Corps rule restoring Clean Water Act protections to more than half of the nation’s streams and millions of acres of wetlands. Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, issued the following statement:

"Nearly one-third of all Americans and thousands of species of fish and wildlife depend upon clean water from at-risk streams and wetlands that will be protected by the recently finalized clean water rule. An extensive body of science definitively proves the connections between these smaller waters and larger rivers, lakes and bays. This sound science, as required under the Clean Water Act, underpins the rule and will ensure that it is affirmed in the courts. On behalf of fish, wildlife, and all Americans who love the outdoors, we will work tirelessly to ensure that these critical streams and wetlands are protected."

More than 8 in 10 of the hunters and anglers (83 percent) surveyed thought that the Environmental Protection Agency should apply the rules and standards of the Clean Water Act to smaller, headwater streams and wetlands, according to a recent nationwide, bipartisan poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies (R) and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D) for the National Wildlife Federation. Support for this policy was strong across the political spectrum with 77 percent of Republicans, 79 percent of Independents and 97 percent of Democrats in favor.