Civil+Structural Engineering Media
More Widespread Support for EPA and Army’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule – A New Definition of WOTUS
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James unveiled a new, clear definition for “waters of the United States.” With the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, EPA and the Department of the Army (Army) are delivering on President Trump’s promise to finalize a revised definition for “waters of the United States” that protects the nation’s navigable waters from pollution and will result in economic growth across the country. Here’s what elected officials and stakeholders are saying…
CABINET
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue: “President Trump is restoring the rule of law and empowering Americans by removing undue burdens and strangling regulations from the backs of our productive farmers, ranchers, and rural land-owners. The days are gone when the Federal Government can claim a small farm pond on private land as navigable waters. I thank President Trump and Administrator Wheeler for having the backs of our farmers, ranchers, and producers and for continuing to roll back Federal overreach. With reforms and deregulation, Americans once again have the freedom to innovate, create, and grow.”
SENATE
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY): “I applaud President Donald Trump, Administrator Wheeler, and Assistant Secretary James for standing up for middle class families in Kentucky. Replacing the Obama EPA’s WOTUS rule with one that protects our waters while also being more workable is a win for farmers and small businesses.”
U.S. Senator John Barrasso, Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (WY): “President Trump is delivering on his promise to give Americans clean water and clear rules. Regulations must follow the law and be easy for Americans to understand. The Trump administration respects the authority Congress gave EPA under the Clean Water Act. The old WOTUS rule put Washington in control of ponds, puddles, and prairie potholes. The punishing regulation was so confusing that property owners and businesses could not determine when permits were needed. Even worse, it inserted Washington into local decision making. This overreach put unfair restrictions on how farmers, ranchers, and landowners could use their property. I will continue to work closely with the Trump administration as it seeks commonsense ways to keep America’s water clean and safe.”
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (KS): “The original ‘WOTUS’ rule was nothing but a severe regulatory over reach. The growing threat farmers were facing from the previous administration’s regulatory warpath would have only added costs to their businesses and stymied their ability to compete. I’m thankful this administration’s rule is a much more reasonable approach to regulation.”
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (MS): “By providing clearer definitions for federally-protected waters, President Trump is keeping his promises to American farmers, ranchers, and small business owners. This rule from the EPA recognizes state control over local waters, while still maintaining important protections for our environment. I will continue working with the Administration to ensure our federal regulatory system is not overly burdensome for Mississippians.”
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS): “The new rule restores the rightful balance of federal and state jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. This will mean protecting our waters without subjecting agriculture, business, industry, and rural communities to gross and overreaching federal regulation. For Mississippi’s interests, this is a priority. I’m grateful to President Trump and his administration for correcting the flagrant power grab by the previous administration.”
U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (GA): “I may be new to the U.S. Senate, but I’ve long known the negative consequences of over-regulation as a solution. The Obama-era ‘WOTUS’ rule hurt Georgian farmers and led to unnecessary and, at times, illegal federal overreach. President Trump’s Navigable Waters” Protection Rule will provide farmers in Georgia and nationwide with much needed clarity, predictability and freedom to harvest their crops while also protecting the environment.”
U.S. Senator Ben Sasse (NE): “Nebraska farmers and ranchers are winning with the finalization of new water rules. Bureaucrats have no place regulating puddles in Nebraska, and the Obama administration was wrong for trying this nonsense. No one cares more about land and water resources than our farmers and ranchers. Nebraskans feed the world and are on the leading edge of conservation. I am glad to hear that the new water rules are finalized.”