Hartzler, House "Ditch the Rule"

Statement

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) and the House have approved legislation she co-sponsors requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their proposed rule defining and expanding the scope of waters protected by the Clean Water Act. The Regulatory Integrity Protection Act -- H.R. 1732 -- would require the EPA and the Corps to develop a new rule, working with local governments and citizens, to classify Waters of the United States and clarify who has jurisdiction.

"The proposed rule has been flawed since its inception, and is essentially a federal land grab," said Hartzler. "It has placed a burden on law-abiding citizens who are forced to comply with onerous restrictions on how they manage their own land. It is time to hear the voices of the people of Missouri's Fourth District and others across the country who care about the land and are better positioned to make wise decisions on land management."

"We all want clean water and the States and local authorities have done a good job, over the years, of working with federal regulators to implement the Clean Water Act," Hartzler added. "It is time to stop federal bureaucrats from stepping in and taking away local control. The balanced approach to regulating the nation's waters must be restored."

Having been passed by the House, this common sense bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

Congresswoman Hartzler, who lives on a working farm in Cass County, serves on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Budget Committees.

Source