Rep. Gosar: EPA's WOTUS Rule Built on Pseudo-science, Deception and Lawlessness

Statement

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) unveiled its finalized Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation:

"This job-killing, overreaching water grab being imposed by Washington bureaucrats is a dream killer for future generations and local economies.

"The EPA claims this overreaching proposal "has a foundation in science.' However, we have consistently seen this nontransparent agency cite secret science that is not reviewable to support its extremist environmentalist proposals.

"The EPA claims this new regulation was "shaped by public input.' Yet, we recently learned that the EPA used taxpayer dollars to unleash a propaganda campaign in an attempt to rally comments and support for this WOTUS regulation despite the Anti-Lobbying Act which bans such actions. Additionally, states and local governments that have traditionally managed these waterways and activities were not included in drafting the proposed rule.

"The EPA claims this "rule is grounded in law.' Yet, this overreaching regulation contradicts prior Supreme Court decisions by expanding agency control over 60% of our country's streams and millions of acres of wetlands that were previously non-jurisdictional. Despite claiming the rule reduces agency jurisdiction, the final rule imposes new regulations for navigable waters and their tributaries, potholes, ditches, bays and even waters that are "next to rivers and lakes.'

"Today's announced WOTUS rule has been built on a foundation of pseudo-science, deception and lawlessness. This overreach is so extreme that 24 members of the president's own party joined members in the House in passing legislation calling for the formal removal of the rule that was finalized today. The EPA has solidified itself as a rogue wing of Obama's far-left army of environmental extremists. Like many of the president's other executive overreaches, I doubt this new regulation will withstand judicial review. Hard-working Americans don't deserve to have such a terrible proposal implemented by executive decree."

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