Crapo Questions EPA's Budgetary Priorities

Statement

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, participated in an oversight hearing of the Environmental Protection Agency's fiscal year 2015 budget. The hearing comes one day after the EPA announced, and Crapo strongly objected to, an expanded definition of waters regulated under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA)--a decision that, if implemented, would further restrict the private property rights of Americans.

"In reviewing the EPA's budget proposal, I am concerned that the agency has proposed funding reductions for programs that enjoy bipartisan support while increasing funding for programs and initiatives that remain controversial," Crapo said in his opening statement. "Specifically, the proposed reduction of funding for the CWA and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds is a concern, and will reduce available resources for small communities who need assistance to ensure their water systems meet state and federal environmental regulations. Additionally, the proposed reduction in funding for the Brownfields program, a successful program in Idaho and across the nation that has a proven track record of helping communities replace abandoned and polluted properties with new updated parks and residential areas, is discouraging. The EPA's FY 2015 budget proposal clearly advocates the continuation of policies that create more harm than good in protecting our environment."

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