The EPA Wants Your Water…All of It!

Statement

According to a leaked secret draft proposal, the EPA is crafting new regulations to control all waters in the U.S., not just those currently permitted under the clear letter of federal law. This proposed regulation would allow unprecedented encroachment upon private property rights. Through a redefinition of the terms "navigable waters' and "waters of the United States,' the EPA would radically expand the reach of their bureaucratic control. Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) issued the following statement:

"This move by the Obama Administration is an extreme threat, particularly to America's farmers and ranchers. This massive power grab would subject nearly all waters in the U.S. to EPA control, including those in road ditches, farm ponds, prairie potholes, swimming pools, water tanks, and rain puddles.

This far-reaching regulation is another painful example of the Obama Administration attempting to expand its authority and power. The Clean Water Act clearly prohibits this regulatory scheme--the White House and its EPA is attempting another regulatory run around Congress and the American People. We are heading into dangerous territory -- by forcing more private property under the control of the Obama Administration and its out-of-control EPA."

Representative Huelskamp has remained at the forefront of the fight against regulatory issues throughout his time in Congress. He has introduced and supported numerous bills and amendments to address this issue of navigable waters and other areas of EPA overreach. In November 2011, he introduced HR3323 Freeing Agriculture to Reap More Act to prevent and prohibit such job-killing overregulation of agriculture.

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