Lummis Opposes Bill To Allow Federal Regulation Of All U.S. Water

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), a member of the Congressional Western Caucus joined caucus members in opposing legislation introduced by Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN) that seeks to provide the federal government with jurisdictional authority over all water across the entire United States.

The legislation, entitled "America's Commitment to Clean Water Act," seeks to expand the federal government's control of U.S. water under the Clean Water Act by removing the existing requirement that regulated waterways be "navigable." Under the proposed legislation, all inland waters, on both public and private lands, would be controlled and regulated by the federal government.

On December 8, 2009, House and Senate Western Caucus members outlined their concerns in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) regarding the Senate "Clean Water Restoration Act" (S.787) and the anticipated introduction of similar legislation in the House, which has now occurred.

"This legislation is as seriously misguided as any I have seen since becoming a member of Congress. This unjustifiable encroachment by the federal government to exert control over state water rights adds to the unprecedented expansion of the federal government's interference in Wyoming people's everyday lives," Lummis said.
"Usurping control over state water rights is the most egregious affront to Wyoming that I can imagine. Wyoming has always bee

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