Putting states back in the driver's seat
By U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman
R-Arkansas
In a historic moment for our nation’s farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and landowners, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Zeldin announced a new proposed ruling to define Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. This common-sense regulation protects our state’s waters while also unleashing American economic prosperity, and it was an honor to be in attendance and provide a few words of my support.
For too long, our federal government has weaponized the definition of our nation’s waterways to seize our states’ ability to determine what is best for their landowners, farmers, small businesses, and more. Letting our states determine what’s best for their own resources shouldn’t be a complicated issue, but decades of bureaucracy have certainly made that into a reality.
As a sitting member on the Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, this is an issue that I have been focused on for quite some time that deeply affects the U.S., its waterways, and the folks who are responsible for keeping our economy growing. For years, I have worked extensively to ensure the rights of our states, farmers, small businesses, and local communities are protected.
Since the 1972 Clean Water Act, the term Waters of the United States (WOTUS) has been long debated. However, the Obama-era 2015 Clean Water Rule muddied the waters and has since abused the rule-making process of the executive branch, creating clear overreach of federal authority on our waterways by allowing federal agencies to essentially act as zoning and land czars with little-to-no checks or balances on their power. Last week’s common-sense ruling puts our states back in the driver’s seat, prioritizes farmers and business owners, and takes a step toward reining in federal overreach.
There is no doubt that Administrator Zeldin has everyday Americans in mind, and I look forward to working with him in both of my roles on the T&I Waterways and Resources subcommittee and as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee to enact common-sense regulations that protect our navigable waterways, hardworking Americans, and constitutional separation of powers.
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