Final WOTUS Rule Represents One of the Largest Federal Land Grabs in History, Says Noem
Washington, D.C. – Representative Kristi Noem today expressed deep disappointment with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) ruling. The ruling could greatly expand the federal government’s control over small and seasonal bodies of water throughout South Dakota and the country. Click here to view a map of how extensive the control could be in South Dakota.
“Today’s announcement represents one of the largest federal land grabs in United States history,” said Noem. “Small ditches that flow through our backyards, prairie potholes, and streams that only run during heavy rains could now be subject to Clean Water Act regulations, meaning everyday tasks like spraying your lawn for mosquitos or your crops for disease could potentially require new federal permits. And if the landowner falls out of compliance, penalties could cost more than $30,000 per day. Despite significant public outcry, the administration is trying to jam this massive expansion of federal power through, further eroding private property rights. They must reverse course.”
Earlier this month, Rep. Noem helped the U.S. House of Representatives pass the bipartisan H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015, which would send the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers back to the drawing board on the WOTUS rule.
“This isn’t the end of the road,” continued Noem. “The House has already passed bipartisan legislation that would ditch this rule and send the EPA back to the drawing board. I strongly urge the Senate to move quickly and pass similar legislation as well.”
Noem has also called on the EPA to define regulated navigable waters on a map after an alarming graphic was released that has raised questions about how extensive the EPA’s regulatory authority could become. Read more and view the graphic here.
Additionally, in May 2014, Rep. Noem joined 231 Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle on a letter urging the EPA and the Secretary of the Army to withdraw the proposed rule.
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Ms. Noem:
You’re promoting unlimited pollution of our water and spraying poison without regulation? C’mon, lady! The “public outcry” is for the halt of the greedy and their disrespect of USA and her water. Your kitten-like call for an unconstitutional roadblock to our EPA and their mission to protect what’s beautiful and pristine in our environment is just Big-Ag selfishness.
TRT (the real truth) … brought to you by LiberalDakota ~ The rule, announced by Environmental Protection Agency administrator Gina McCarthy, won’t require new permits, she said, but it gives federal officials jurisdiction to crack down on polluters.
“This rule will make it easier to identify protected waters,” McCarthy said in a conference call with reporters. “This rule will not get in the way of agriculture.”