This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Joe Biden's "puddles" agenda for water rules now is under fire from Environmental Agency chief Lee Zeldin.
It is the Waters of the United States rule that left an Idaho couple facing fines of up to $33,000 a day for starting to build a home on a residential subdivision land plot in Idaho.
The U.S. Supreme Court earlier reversed the outcome in that case, involving the Sackett family.
But Zeldin is working on a revamp of the regulation that was adopted during the Nixon administration under the Clean Water Act to control wetlands.
The Barack Obama and Biden administrations expanded the definitions of "navigable waters" to the point landowners feared the EPA "could swoop in at any moment and usurp control of their lands," according to a report at Fox News.
Zeldin explained, "When it comes to the definition of 'waters of the United States,' EPA has an important responsibility to protect water resources while setting clear and practical rules of the road that accelerate economic growth and opportunity."
Obama had grabbed vast new powers under the law, before Trump during his first term in office restored them to working definitions, the report said.
But Biden again expanded the federal government's reach.
Under his standards, low spots that collected puddles "could be found to have a 'significant nexus' to navigable water," the report said.
Zeldin said the goal now is to deliver on a Trump administration promise to make regulations clear while also protecting the nation's waterways.
The EPA said nine "listening sessions" were held and the conclusions offered were that commonsense guidelines were needed.
Now being developed are definitions for "relatively permanent" waterways, "tributary" and more.
"Wetlands" now in fact must be "wet" for a minimum time each year.
"Democrat administrations have weaponized the definition of navigable waters to seize more power from American farmers, landowners, entrepreneurs, and families," Zeldin said. "We heard from Americans across the country who want clean water and a clear rule. No longer should America's landowners be forced to spend precious money hiring an attorney or consultant just to tell them whether a Water of the United States is on their property."
WorldNetDaily reported over the years on the Sackett fight. The Supreme Court eventually gave the Idaho couple, Chantell and Mike Sackett, victory in their years-long fight with the Environmental Protection Agency.
It agents claimed their residential building land in Priest Lake was protected "wetlands" even though it wasn't wet, wasn't attached to navigable waters and was surrounded by homes on other lots.
