"Two New Mexico Tribal Communities Suing EPA Over Clean Water Rule"

"Two New Mexico Native American communities have sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over a revision to federal rules regarding waterways they argue violated federal responsibilities toward tribes.

A rule change that took effect last June curtailed the categories of waterway subject to federal protection under the Clean Water Act. The Biden administration is currently reviewing numerous rule changes made under the Trump administration but has yet to announce action on the water rule.

In the lawsuit, the Jemez and Laguna pueblos argued that cultural practices and tribal resources are adversely affected by any removal or restriction of access to clean water due to the scarcity of water in the Southwest."

Zack Budryk reports for The Hill April 1, 2021.