"Clean Water Rule: WOTUS Battle Heads To The Supreme Court"

"The Supreme Court this week will wade into a legal dispute that could have big consequences for the Trump administration as it attempts to repeal and replace the Obama-era Clean Water Rule.

The fight — over whether challenges to the Obama rule belong in federal appeals or district courts — may not draw the biggest headlines of what's expected to be a blockbuster Supreme Court term.

But the court's decision will determine the venue for future Clean Water Act disputes, including over the Trump administration's replacement rule, which is expected to protect fewer waterways than the Obama measure. The government is hoping to preserve review in appeals courts, which are less tilted toward overturning federal actions.

Justices on Wednesday will hear an hour of arguments in the case. The fight will likely come down to how literally the court's nine justices read the language of the Clean Water Act."

Amanda Reilly reports for Greenwire October 9, 2017.