{"id":8254,"date":"2018-12-16T12:00:22","date_gmt":"2018-12-16T19:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/?p=8254"},"modified":"2024-09-23T22:57:33","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T04:57:33","slug":"western-officials-praise-wotus-rule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/western-officials-praise-wotus-rule\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Officials Praise WOTUS Rule Revision For Alleviating Burdens On Farmers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2014 Published with Permission of WesternWire.net \u2014<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Trump administration moved to revise the definition of \u201cwaters of the United States\u201d or WOTUS rule under the Clean Water Act that Western elected officials hailed as fairer for farmers, ranchers and landowners.<\/p>\n

The announcement came Tuesday as Environmental Protection Agency Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler\u00a0released<\/a>\u00a0details the agency said would provide a \u201cstraightforward definition that would result in significant cost savings, protect the nation\u2019s navigable waters, help sustain economic growth, and reduce barriers to business development.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur proposal would replace the Obama EPA\u2019s 2015 definition with one that respects the limits of the Clean Water Act and provides states and landowners the certainty they need to manage their natural resources and grow local economies,\u201d\u00a0said Wheeler.\u00a0\u201cFor the first time, we are clearly defining the difference between federally protected waterways and state protected waterways. Our simpler and clearer definition would help landowners understand whether a project on their property will require a federal permit or not, without spending thousands of dollars on engineering and legal professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n

EPA was joined by the Department of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in presenting the revisions<\/p>\n

\u201cEPA and the Army together propose this new definition that provides a clear and predictable approach to regulating \u2018waters of the United States.\u2019 We focused on developing an implementable definition that balances local and national interests under the Clean Water Act,\u201d\u00a0said R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.\u00a0\u201cI have heard from a wide range of stakeholders on Clean Water Act implementation challenges. This proposed definition provides a common-sense approach to managing our nation\u2019s waters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Comments on the proposal will be given 60 days following publication in the Federal Register, and a\u00a0listening session<\/a>\u00a0will take place in Kansas City, Kansas on January 23, 2019.<\/p>\n

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), said, \u201cAmericans deserve clean water and clear rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Trump administration\u2019s new proposal respects the authority Congress gave EPA and the Army Corps under the Clean Water Act. Regulations must follow the law and be easy for Americans to understand. This new proposal does that,\u201d Barrasso said in a statement.<\/p>\n

The Wyoming senator blasted what he called a \u201cconfusing\u201d regulation that ensnared private property and limited the rights of property owners.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe old WOTUS rule put Washington in control of ponds, puddles, and prairie potholes. The regulation was so confusing that property owners and businesses could not determine when permits were needed. Even worse, it inserted Washington into local decision making. This overreach put unfair restrictions on how farmers, ranchers, and landowners could use their property. I am glad the new proposal addresses these issues,\u201d Barrasso said.<\/p>\n