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A water quality rule that many conservatives viewed as federal government overreach is being rescinded, drawing applause from Iowas top elected Republicans.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency this week proposed a rule to eliminate what has become known as the waters of the U.S. rule. Implemented under former President Barack Obama, the rule was designed to protect water sources from pollution by defining which fall under the EPAs jurisdiction.

Opponents called the proposal an overreach and claimed the federal government would seek to regulate puddles, an assertion Obama administration officials disputed.

This week, President Donald Trumps administration proposed to rescind the rule.

We are taking significant action to return power to the states and provide regulatory certainty to our nations farmers and businesses, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt said in a statement. This is the first step in the two-step process to redefine waters of the U.S. and we are committed to moving through this re-evaluation to quickly provide regulatory certainty, in a way that is thoughtful, transparent and collaborative with other agencies and the public.

In Iowa, top elected Republicans gave the announcement a warm greeting.

Gov. Kim Reynolds framed the new administrations action as an example of what she has said on numerous other occasions regarding other issues: that the Obama administration was not a willing partner with states. (It bears noting, of course, that Reynolds is a Republican and Obama a Democrat.)

Waters of the United States was a significant and severe case of government overreach by the Obama administration. I want to thank Sec. Pruitt for recognizing that (the rule) forced onerous and unnecessary burdens on Iowas farmers and businesses, Reynolds said. I also want to express my appreciation to the Trump administration for its continuing commitment to work with states, not against them.

Iowas Republican U.S. senators, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, both praised the new administrations action while reminding Iowans that they encouraged the Trump administration to rescind the rule.

All across Iowa, folks are calling for this rule to be scrapped, which is why I have led efforts in the Senate to do just that, Ernst said. This is good news for Iowa and rural communities across the country as we move closer to finally eliminating this overreaching rule.

Said Grassley, Having the federal EPA and the Corps of Engineers require permits for routine land use decisions is a waste of resources that are better used enforcing existing regulations against discharging pollutants into the nations waterways. Agencies ought to enforce the laws as Congress intended, not stretch beyond their authority to inflict unnecessary expense and red tape on law-abiding farmers and employers.

Reynolds Pitches Iowa to Trump

Reynolds this week also visited Washington, D.C., and was awarded the opportunity to speak to President Trump and several agency heads, her office said in a news release.

The governor also was able to attend a ceremony honoring the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs. A photo of Reynolds and Cubs players Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Eddie Butler was posted on the governors Twitter account.

Reynolds, according to her office, discussed renewable energy and Iowas diversified energy portfolio with energy secretary Rick Perry; explained to budget director Mick Mulvaney the importance of the ethanol mandate; and talked about high-speed internet expansion with Anne Hazlett, who heads a rural development program in the agriculture department.

Guns split sheriffs and supervisors

In conservative northwest Iowa, a few county supervisors and the sheriff are at odds over whether to ban firearms in the Woodbury County Courthouse.

A new law passed earlier this year by the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature strengthened the state law that says local governments cannot supersede state law in banning weapons in public spaces. The new law permits citizens who feel adversely affected to legally challenge a local government over its public building gun ban.

The new law carved out space for judges to continue banning weapons in the courtroom.

But on June 19, just a few weeks before the new state law would go into effect, the Iowa Supreme Court issued an order stating firearms will not be allowed across the state in any courtroom, court-controlled spaces or public spaces in courthouses.

In Woodbury County, supervisors recently repealed the local ban on weapons in the courthouse, citing the new state law.

But Sheriff David Drew said his office will continue to enforce the weapons ban, citing the Supreme Court order.

The two sides have accused each other of playing politics with the issue. Sheriff Drew and the two supervisors who voted to repeal the ban all are Republicans.

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Republicans hail end of EPA water rule - Sioux City Journal