News Releases from Headquarters›Water (OW)

PHOTOS: EPA Administrator Pruitt Continues State Action Tour in South Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C. – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt continued his multistate action tour in South Carolina today, following visits to Utah, Minnesota and Arkansas last week. The visit highlights the administrator’s recent decision to begin the process to redefine the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule to help return power back to the states and provide regulatory certainty to farmers, landowners, and ranchers across the country. Administrator Pruitt was joined by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, and South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers, at a local sod farm for a roundtable with agricultural and business leaders. 

“The Trump Administration and EPA are committed to empowering agriculture and business leaders who have been burdened with overreaching regulations that do little to promote environmental stewardship,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “By beginning the process to redefine WOTUS, we are providing regulatory certainty for South Carolinians while working together with the state to keep our waters clean.” 

"We are very appreciative of EPA Administrator Pruitt taking time to visit South Carolina and underscore the negative impact of the Obama Administration’s WOTUS regulation," said U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.  "This Obama regulation greatly expanded the power of the federal government at the expense of our farmers and local development.  I opposed this misguided proposal from the start.  It failed the common sense test and has proven to be government overreach at its worst.  I appreciate Administrator Pruitt and President Trump for making clear that government overregulation like WOTUS will be reviewed and reformed."

"Today’s visit showed firsthand the real impact overreaching regulations can have on individuals, families, and businesses. I appreciate the leadership of President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt for their commitment to scaling back the role of the federal government, promoting limited government and expanded freedom," U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson said. "I am grateful to Administrator Pruitt for visiting South Carolina today and hearing from local agriculture and business leaders, especially South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers and my longtime friend Jim Roquemore.

"For several years, I, along with Scott Pruitt and 24 other states, have been fighting this unconstitutional land grab by the federal government" said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. "I now look forward to working with Administrator Pruitt on this new proposal to protect the rights of South Carolina landowners."

"I am pleased Administrator Pruitt came to South Carolina to hear first-hand about the negative impacts of the 2015 WOTUS rule would have on our state," said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. "As our state's largest industry, agriculture is focused on having this overburdensome rule rescinded, so farmers can operate without additional uncertainties and costly regulations."