Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Lawsuits Merged

The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) merged before the Sixth Circuit a dozen lawsuits challenging the WOTUS rule issued by EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. On July 28, the JPML randomly selected the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio, to hear cases over the rule that were filed in 8 separate circuit courts by environmental groups seeking tougher restrictions, as well as industry groups and 28 states claiming the rule oversteps federal authority. The WOTUS rule takes effect on August 28.