This is a release from Florida Congressman Ted Yoho’s office:
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL-03) has written a letter to two Appropriations subcommittees; the Energy, Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee and the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Congressman Yoho is requesting that language be inserted in their respective appropriations bills ensuring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers will not implement new rules on navigable waters. Essentially, denying the EPA from redefining “waters of the United States.” Congressman Yoho released the following statement.
“The EPA and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers have attempted to craft a rule expanding the definition of ‘waters of the United States’ multiple times. Currently, the Clean Water Act (CWA) allows the EPA to regulate rivers, lakes, and estuaries but the proposed rule would allow for expanded authority requiring businesses to obtain permits for ditches and man-made canals, further burdening both the construction and agricultural sectors.
“This is another example of government overreach standing in the way of job creation. We understand we need to be good stewards of the land, but language like this, if allowed to stand, hurts American business and agriculture.”