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PHOTOS: EPA Administrator Pruitt Visits Utah to Kick-Off State Action Tour, Announce Decision to Revisit Utah Regional Haze Plan

07/18/2017
Contact Information: 
EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt began a multistate tour in Utah today where he held talks with state and local leaders regarding EPA issues that are important to Utah, including the agency’s recent proposal to rescind the 2015 “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule—the first step in a comprehensive, two-step process to review and revise the definition of WOTUS.  Administrator Pruitt also announced EPA’s decision to revisit the 2016 denial of Utah's regional haze plan, to give the state an opportunity to replace the current federal plan with a state plan that better reflects local needs.

Administrator Pruitt began the day touring Bitner Ranch and Conservatory in Park City to see first-hand how a local Utah ranch would be affected by the 2015 WOTUS rule.

Administrator Pruitt then joined Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Attorney General Sean Reyes, Director of Utah’s Department of Environmental Quality Alan Matheson, and other state officials at the state capitol for a meeting specifically focused on WOTUS and the importance of restoring cooperative federalism. Following that meeting, they hosted an additional roundtable with local stakeholders including those from Utah’s water conservation, farming, mining, and energy sectors.

“EPA is committed to re-evaluating the definition of a ‘Water of the United States’ while respecting traditional state and local powers,” said EPA Administrator Pruitt. “By working hand-in-hand with local leaders, we can help keep waters pollution-free, while also promoting economic growth and minimizing regulatory burdens for farmers, ranchers, and property owners.” 

This morning Administrator Pruitt joined Good Morning Utah on KTVX to discuss his visit to Utah and EPA’s decision to re-evaluate WOTUS.

Click here to watch the video.