U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson issued a preliminary injunction against the EPA’s so-called Waters of the United States rule one day before it was due to take effect, reports Agri-Pulse. The judge said the agency exceeded its authority with the rule, which spells out the upstream reach of the Clean Water Act, and the 13 states that sued to block the rule demonstrated they would be harmed. Farm groups have been prominent opponents of the rule, saying it could lead to EPA regulation of ditches in farm fields. The agency says the rule clarifies but does not expand federal jurisdiction, and will help protect water supplies for tens of millions of Americans. “Many lawmakers still seek to withdraw the rule legislatively,” said Agri-Pulse.