A bill backed by Rep. Labrador would send EPA and the Army Corps back to the drawing board
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 14, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — A measure forcing the Obama Administration to withdraw its “waters of the United States” rule cleared the House Tuesday on a bipartisan 261-155 vote.
Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, is an original cosponsor of H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act. Labrador has been working since last year on a legislative remedy, which now heads to the Senate.
H.R. 1732 would require the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the rule within 30 days and replace it only after extensive consultation with state and local officials and other stakeholders.
“This water grab is a stunning example of regulatory excess,” Labrador said. “It would mean Idahoans could need a federal permit to plow their fields or dig a ditch. The Obama Administration needs to push the reset button and start over by recognizing impacts on real people and respecting the authority of the states.”
Proposed in April 2014, the rule vastly expands the reach of federal regulation under the Clean Water Act. It redefines the four-decade-old “navigable waters” regulatory standard as the “waters of the United States.” Non-navigable waters are now regulated by the states, who have been partners with the federal government under the Clean Water Act. The rule is now before the Office of Management and Budget for review.
More than 1 million comments have been received on the rule. Its usurpation of state authority has prompted 22 states to call for its withdrawal, while 11 seek revisions. H.R. 1732 is supported by a broad coalition, including the Idaho and American Farm Bureau Federations, Idaho Grain Producers, Idaho Cattle Association, National Association of Homebuilders, National Federation of Independent Business and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Dan Popkey – 208-800-1565
