In the News

All six members of Arkansas' congressional delegation said Wednesday that they plan to fight back against a water regulation rule approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Originally called the Waters of the United States rule, the EPA has started referring to it as the Clean Water Rule.

The final rule, announced Wednesday, defines which bodies of water the EPA has jurisdiction over as part of the Clean Water Act. It goes into effect 60 days after being published in the Federal Register.

Supporters say the changes will protect the nation's drinking water and help wildlife. Opponents -- largely from agricultural states such as Arkansas -- say any changes would give the federal government too much control over what farmers and land developers do with their property.

Several pieces of legislation to either stop or repeal the rule are being considered. The EPA received more than 1 million comments about the rule.

Five of the six Republican lawmakers released statements denouncing the new rules.