Roy Brown Takes Tough Stance Against Federal Power Grab

Press Release

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Roy Brown submitted written testimony today criticizing S. 1870, the Clean Water restoration Act of 2007, which would significantly expand jurisdiction of the federal Clean Water Act and would negatively impact Montana agriculture.

"This bill represents a dangerous attempt by the federal government to take authority from the state, and it puts Montana's farmers and ranchers at risk," said Brown, noting that the bill as drafted would give the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction over everything from storm drains to stock ponds. "The Clean Water Act was designed to apply to navigable waters, but this bill dangerously expands the federal government's authority to virtually every part of Montana with any water whatsoever. It's burdensome, unnecessary government regulation and it has the potential to devastate Montana families.

Brown noted that Governor Brian Schweitzer supported the House version of the Clean Water
Restoration Act, H.R. 2421, when it was heard in committee last summer. "Unfortunately, Governor Schweitzer seems to think that the federal government will do a better job of managing our water than Montanans who've lived here and worked the land for generations," said Brown. "It's an insult to landowners all across Montana."

Brown continued, "Montana needs a governor who will take a stand for our state, not simply go with the flow on tough issues like water," he said. "As Montana's next Governor, I'll fight for local control and I'll make a stand on behalf of the property rights of all Montanans."

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