Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, along with senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), introduced bipartisan legislation yesterday that would protect non-navigable waters from regulation under the Clean Water Act.
The Federal Water Quality Protection Act, S. 1140, directs the Enviornmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corpf of Engineers to issue a revised Waters of the United States rule that does not include things such as isolated ponds, ditches, agriculture water, storm water, groundwater, floodwater, municipal water supply systems, wastewater management systems, and streams without enough flow to carry pollutants to navigable waters. The legislation will also ensure the protection as of traditional navigable waters of the United States.
“A few years ago, Congress rejected a bill that would have removed the term ‘navigable water’ from the Clean Water Act. Last April, EPA and the Corps of Engineers proposed an even greater expansion of federal authority,” said EPW Committee Chairman Inhofe. “I am proud of the bipartisan work that went into the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, which will refocus EPA and the Corps of Engineers on the job Congress gave them – protecting navigable water from pollution. I look forward to moving this legislation through the Environment and Public Works Committee and to the Senate floor.”
Farm Bureau has actively monitored and worked on the WOTUS rule, asking OKFB members to submit comments during the open public comment period and ensuring agriculture’s voice is heard during the rule making process.
For more information and to read the full bill, visit the EPW Committee’s website.
