Rep. David Rouzer
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rouzer released a statement applauding a federal court’s ruling today that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule change to the definition of “Waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act cannot be enforced nationwide.
Currently, the EPA’s oversight applies to all navigable waters. Under this proposed rule change, the “Waters of the U.S.” would include smaller bodies of water and even some dry land resulting in a major overreach of federal power – essentially putting the EPA in charge of every square inch of both private and state land.
“Today’s court ruling is a victory for farm families and small businesses throughout Southeastern North Carolina. This rule change would have extended the EPA’s regulatory reach to practically any body of water – including water puddled in a ditch after a rain storm. No Washington bureaucrat should be able to dictate what our farm families, small businesses, local governments and citizens do on their property after a significant rainfall. I’m pleased the court sided with common sense and took this step to rein in the EPA’s massive overreach of federal power.”
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