Waters of the U.S.
Published: April 2, 2014;
Last modified: April 2, 2014 05:00AM
THE ENVIRONMENTAL Protection
Agency, in cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers, has developed a
370-page rule that broadly defines the “waters of the United States.”
Touted as a benign effort to better
protect and enhance the quality of our nation’s water, the recently
announced Clean Water Act rule amounts to a huge water and power grab by
federal bureaucrats. EPA officials claim the draft rule is nothing to
worry about and no additional waterways will be impacted by the changes.
But, as U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo.,
indicated last week, the proposed rule would give the EPA control of
nearly all surface water in the nation. Streams, ditches, ponds, lakes
and wetlands — some of which go dry during part of the year — would fall
under the new federal rule, if adopted. Water resources that were never
before subject to federal regulation would end up under the EPA’s
thumb.
“This draft EPA rule could amount to a
massive water grab by the federal government, the scope of which has
never been seen,” Tipton said. “The stakes are incredibly high for
Colorado, and for all water users.”
We echo Rep. Tipton’s concern, as well
as the concern of agricultural leaders, that the draft rule will have
serious consequences for states with limited water resources, such as
Colorado.
“This new rule has the potential to
further the administration’s erosion of state water law . . .” Tipton
said. “This federal overreach has to stop.”
Two conflicting Supreme Court decisions —
one in 2001 and another in 2006 — raised questions about federal
regulatory authority over streams, marshes and bogs. A new regulation to
provide clarity on the issue was necessary, but the EPA and Army Corps
of Engineers instead have used the opportunity to try to significantly
expand their regulatory reach.
Expanding the federal government’s
oversight of our collective water resources is never a good thing, so
it’s important to raise a ruckus. We expect our Colorado congressional
delegation to do its part and oppose the draft rule.
But every one of us has an important
role to play as well. The proposed rule is open for public comment for
90 days, prior to its publication in the Federal Register. Make your
voice heard by commenting on the draft rule. Time is running out to
derail the overly broad rule.
Waters of the U.S.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Agency, in
cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers, has developed a 370-page rule
that broadly defines the “waters of the United States.”
But, as U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., indicated
last week, the proposed rule would give the EPA control of nearly all surface
water in the nation. Streams, ditches, ponds, lakes and wetlands — some of
which go dry during part of the year — would fall under the new federal rule,
if adopted. Water resources that were never before subject to federal regulation
would end up under the EPA’s thumb.
“This draft EPA rule could amount to a massive
water grab by the federal government, the scope of which has never been seen,”
Tipton said. “The stakes are incredibly high for Colorado, and for all water
users.”
We echo Rep. Tipton’s concern, as well as the
concern of agricultural leaders, that the draft rule will have serious
consequences for states with limited water resources, such as Colorado.
“This new rule has the potential to further the
administration’s erosion of state water law . . .” Tipton said. “This federal
overreach has to stop.”
Two conflicting Supreme Court decisions — one in
2001 and another in 2006 — raised questions about federal regulatory authority
over streams, marshes and bogs. A new regulation to provide clarity on the
issue was necessary, but the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers instead have used
the opportunity to try to significantly expand their regulatory reach.
Expanding the federal government’s oversight of our
collective water resources is never a good thing, so it’s important to raise a
ruckus. We expect our Colorado congressional delegation to do its part and
oppose the draft rule.
But every one of us has an important role to play
as well. The proposed rule is open for public comment for 90 days, prior to its
publication in the Federal Register. Make your voice heard by commenting on the
draft rule. Time is running out to derail the overly broad rule.
- See more at:
http://www.chieftain.com/opinion/2432701-120/rule-federal-draft-epa#sthash.FRcF8CK1.dpuf
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