Randy's Roundup: Issue Spotlight on Waters of the United States Rule

Statement

Issue Spotlight on Waters of the United States Rule
Last week, I signed on to an amicus brief that several members of the House of Representatives are sending the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals as the court reviews the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

The EPA's rule defining which waters are subject to regulation under the federal Clean Water Act is an attempt to expand its authority far beyond the law. The brief I signed last week points out that the legislative intent behind the Clean Water Act was to create state and federal permitting authorities to protect navigable water from pollution but to leave the protection of groundwater and non-navigable waters to the states. In submitting this Congressional brief, our goal is to make clear to the courts that Congress intends to protect its sole and exclusive right to make laws and that federal agencies must implement those laws as they are written.

The EPA's new definitions in this regulation would cover smaller, intrastate bodies of water and enable the EPA to get more involved in regulating land use and water quantity, not just water quality. The regulation would give EPA authority to regulate more isolated waters far from navigable waters, creating uncertainty for farmers, ranchers and other landowners in determining whether or not waters on their property fall under the regulation.

The court is still a few months away from hearing oral arguments in this case in early spring. However, now that the process of filing legal briefs in this case is underway, we are moving toward resolution of this important issue. I am pleased to support the arguments made by groups representing agriculture, small businesses, and others as they challenge EPA's regulatory overreach, and I will continue to fight to maintain states' authority to protect lands and waters within their borders.

Lung Cancer Prevention in November
According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, lung cancer is both the deadliest cancer in the United States and one of the most preventable. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and smoking tobacco products such as cigarettes is the leading cause of lung cancer. While those who choose to use tobacco products know the risks of doing so, the sooner a person quits smoking, the more likely they are to be able to recover from the damage done to their body. As with all cancers, lung cancer is most effectively treated if found early, so if you do smoke or have in the past, November might be a good time to talk to your doctor about screening options.

Happy Veterans Day
This Friday, November 11th, is Veterans Day. To me, this is such a wonderful opportunity to thank those in our community who have sacrificed so much for our country. The service men and women in our military are the best in the world, and we owe them the respect of a grateful nation when their time of active service has ended. So please join Dana and me this Friday in taking a moment to thank God for our country and thank a veteran for making sure we continue to live in the land of the free.

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