“This rule expands the federal government’s reach over private lands and the states through a dubious interpretation of the Clean Water Act.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 28, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement today on the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ announcement of the final Waters of the United States rule:
“The Waters of the United States rule is yet another attempt by the federal government to impose more regulations on West Virginians. This rule expands the federal government’s reach over private lands and the states through a dubious interpretation of the Clean Water Act. This administration’s continued disregard for the impact of its regulations on working families, farmers and small businesses must be stopped. It’s time for the EPA to listen to West Virginians, not bureaucrats,” Rep. Jenkins said.
Earlier this month, Rep. Jenkins voted to block implementation of the Waters of the United States rule. H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 11 by a vote of 261-155. This bill would require the EPA and Army Corps to withdraw the rule and rework it with input from states, local governments, and other stakeholders before proposing a new definition.
The Energy and Water Appropriations bill, passed by the House at the end of April, included language preventing the Army Corps of Engineers from using any funds in the bill to develop or implement any changes to the existing definition of federal jurisdiction of waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act. Rep. Jenkins is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
