Allen on WOTUS Presidential Action
Washington,
March 1, 2017
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Congressman Rick Allen (R-Ga.-12) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s Executive Order to restore the rule of law, federalism and economic growth by reviewing the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule:
“I am glad to see President Trump taking action against the EPA’s harmful WOTUS rule. WOTUS was yet another attempt to undermine the rights of states, local governments and landowners—and would particularly hurt those who feed and fuel our nation, America’s farmers. Just a few weeks ago, I introduced legislation to repeal WOTUS and pave the way for solutions from the President. I look forward to continuing working with the Administration to empower those in the agriculture industry and ensure they can operate at full capacity without obstruction from Washington bureaucrats.”
Background: In April 2014, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule redefining “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The rule would significantly broaden the definition to extend the federal government’s regulatory authority over nearly all bodies of water, including creeks, streams, and groundwater as well as drainage ditches, irrigation pipes and farmland ponds. The Administration failed to properly consult state and local governments in developing its rule, which undermines the federal-state partnership Congress intended to establish under the CWA. In 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a nationwide stay against the enforcement of WOTUS. It has remained there since. Congressman Allen has supported measures to prevent WOTUS from taking effect and recently introduced the Stop WOTUS Act, H.R. 1105, to fully repeal WOTUS, eliminating any potential for it to become a reality. On Tuesday, February 28, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order to review WOTUS.
### |
