Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (May 10th, 2016) - Yesterday Andy Johnson, a rancher in Fort Bridger, Wyoming, claimed a victory over the Environmental Protection Agency, retaining his stock pond that was permitted by the appropriate state agencies.  The EPA claimed jurisdiction over the pond and threatened tens of thousands of dollars in daily fines as long as the pond remained, saying the pond required federal permitting as well.  The terms of the settlement assure that the Johnson family will pay no fines, does not concede any federal jurisdiction to regulate the pond, and that the government will not pursue any further enforcement.    

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) issued the following statement in response:

“That the EPA took as long as they did to admit their overreach and stop bullying and threatening the Johnson family is a gross abuse.  This pond, on private land, was never under the federal agency’s purview and it was far past time the EPA realized that and backed down.  I will continue fighting the EPA’s overreach in every form and at every level throughout the last throes of this reckless administration and I congratulate Andy Johnson and his family on this victory for all landowners.”

###