60 Second Survey: Federal Government Overreach

As you know, every other week I send out a short, one question survey, so I can get your quick thoughts on a topic. Feel free to forward this on to your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers so they can share their thoughts too.  

This week's 60 Second Survey topic is: a proposed a rule that redefines how water is classified by the federal government.

When Congress passed the Clean Waters Act (CWA) in 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) were tasked with overseeing the "Waters of the United States," (WOTUS) and state and local government were tasked with oversight of smaller, remote waters - like lakes, ponds and isolated wetlands.

On March 25, 2014, the EPA and the Corps proposed to change the scope and reach of their jurisdiction with the new WOTUS rule. Under this rule, ponds, ditches, or runoff from a farm, or your front yard, could be considered "waters of the United States" and therefore fall under the control and jurisdiction of the federal government. This, under any observation, is a massive expansion of the federal government’s jurisdiction into traditionally state and local controlled property.

I am strongly against this proposed rule, which is why I supported H.R. 1732: Regulatory Integrity Protection Act. This "reset bill" would roll back the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule and require the EPA and Corps to consult with stakeholders in this process.

Take the survey.