Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, is among 12 legislators who signed a letter sent to Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson Tuesday urging her to add Minnesota to a growing list of states challenging the Environmental Protection Agency over their expand rulemaking authority under the Waters of the United States Rule and the Clean Water Act.

To date, more than half of the states including Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota have filed a lawsuit against the EPA, citing concerns with the new rule set to go into effect on Aug. 28, which many said goes beyond the scope of their constitutional powers and will greatly expand federal authority over state waters including wetlands, ponds and even ditches.

Bennett issued the following statement regarding the letter to the attorney general:

“It’s my belief that Minnesota, not the federal government, is best equipped to decide how to protect our waterways and determine how to protect our waterways,” Bennett said. “This federal overreach could mean more burdensome and expensive EPA mandates resulting in higher costs and more red tape for our farmers. I hope the attorney general will work to add Minnesota to the large list of states standing up to this overreach.”