Cramer Questions EPA Administrator on Waters of the United States Effects on Small Business

Press Release

Today, Congressman Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy about the impact the Waters of the United States rulemaking will have on small businesses in North Dakota and across the United States.

"I was deeply disappointed EPA Administrator McCarthy did not think the negative impact the expanded Waters of the United States definition will have on small businesses and small entities in North Dakota and across the country was a big deal. I am committed to ensuring that North Dakotans are not harmed by Washington bureaucrats," said Cramer.

Concerns regarding at the process by which the EPA has been implementing regulations and their impact on small businesses have been expressed widely. Notably, the federal Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy "believes that EPA and the Corps have improperly certified the proposed rule under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) because it would have direct, significant effects on small businesses. The SBA Office recommends that the agencies withdraw the rule and that the EPA conduct a Small Business Advocacy Review panel before proceeding any further with this rulemaking

Congressman Cramer has been a leader in opposing overreach by the EPA and cosponsored The Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014 which would prohibit the EPA and the Corps from further developing or administering the proposed rule in any form, and reaffirm the authority of state and local officials to determine how non-jurisdictional waters should be regulated. Bicameral legislation in the new Congress is being developed as the EPA expects to finalize their rule in April.

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