Weekly Report: Remote Waters Should be Controlled by Local and State Government

Statement

EDITORS NOTE: I look forward to providing this report each week as a resource of information for Iowans on the issues being debated and discussed. It is my goal to be the most accessible member of congress possible.

REMOTE WATERS SHOULD BE CONTROLLED BY LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT

As I travel around the Third District in southwest Iowa, I see what drives our state -- hardworking Iowans that control their own lives. Our state is rightfully proud of its rich agricultural history, but it is also a part of our future. My mission is simple; make sure you have a government that works for you, one that is efficient, effective and accountable.

When Congress passed the Clean Waters Act (CWA) in 1972, a balance was negotiated between federal control of waterways and state and local control. With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) regulating the "waters of the United States," and state and local government having oversight of smaller, remote waters -- like lakes, ponds and isolated wetlands. When the rule of law has been respected, this agreement has worked.

Iowans know that keeping our environment safe is crucial, but the federal-state balance that Congress acknowledged with the CWA in 1972 must be respected. Over the last forty plus years there have been numerous attempts by the EPA and the Corps to redefine "waters of the United States." Thankfully, the CWA has been reinforced by the courts so that smaller, remote waters are rightfully controlled by local and state government.

On March 25, 2014, the EPA and the Corps proposed its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Under this rule, ponds, ditches, or runoff from a farm could be considered "waters of the United States" and therefore fall under the control of the federal government. Proving yet again how out of step and out of touch Washington is with Iowan values.

Agencies have tried to say this is a narrow, focused rule -- simply an explanation of who is in control of what, but that could not be further from the truth. This rule intentionally and aggressively expands federal authority under the CWA, completely bypassing Congress. We need a government that works for you, one that creates fewer hassles, not more frustrations in your life.

With Iowa, especially the Third District heavily reliant on agriculture, I was pleased to have Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture, on Capitol Hill this past Wednesday to discuss this critical issue. Secretary Vilsack testified in front of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.

I asked Secretary Vilsack, about the Waters of the United States rule, and outlined my concerns and the concerns of Iowans I meet. It is a massive land grab that will hurt our agricultural industry. Despite good intentions to improve water quality, this rule will regulate our farm and private lands instead of navigable waters as Congress intended back in 1972. I asked Secretary Vilsack, what has the USDA done in response to this harmful rule and will he, a native Iowan, stand with farmers to publically oppose this rule?

The Secretary responded that he will continue to push other agencies to engage agriculture producers on this rule. But the fact is, farmers have already spoken and they are terrified by this proposed rule. In my closing statement I pleaded with Secretary Vilsack to educate other department heads and oppose this rule during the interagency review process.

In the end, I will stand with Iowans, not with yet another power grab by the federal government. I hope Secretary Vilsack will do the same.

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