A coalition of environmental groups is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to revoke Utah's authority to enforce parts of the federal Clean Water Act.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that several groups filed a petition last week, saying recent legislation undermines the state's ability to enforce the Clean Water Act.
State lawmakers recently passed a bill that allows stakeholders to pay for a peer review of the science behind regulations proposed by the Utah Division of Water Quality.
The Division of Water Quality and the challenging party would select scientists for a three-person panel to examine the action.
Critics say the bill would mean peer reviews could overrule state actions and federal mandates.
An EPA spokesman says the agency received the petition and is reviewing the matter.