Year-Long Effort to Block Federal Water Grab Advances

Press Release

A measure forcing the Obama Administration to withdraw its "waters of the United States" rule has cleared the House Transportation Committee on a bipartisan vote.

Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, has been working since last year with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on a legislative remedy. Labrador is an original cosponsor of H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, which was approved by the committee Wednesday.

The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the rule within 30 days and replace it only after extensive consultation with state and local officials and other stakeholders.

"This rule is a stunning example of regulatory overreach by the Obama Administration," Labrador said. "This water grab would mean Idahoans could need a federal permit to plow their fields or dig a ditch. It's high time the Administration pushes the reset button and starts over by recognizing impacts on real people and respecting the authority of the states."

Proposed in April 2014, the rule vastly expands the reach of federal regulation under the Clean Water Act. It redefines the four-decade-old "navigable waters" regulatory standard as the "waters of the United States." Non-navigable waters are now regulated by the states, who have been partners with the federal government under the Clean Water Act. The rule is now before the Office of Management and Budget for review.

More than 1 million comments have been received on the rule. Its usurpation of state authority has prompted 22 states to call for its withdrawal, while 11 seek revisions. The rule is opposed by a broad coalition, including the Western Governors' Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Mining Association and National Association of Home Builders.

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