WASHINGTON-The U.S. House has passed a bill that will roll back the process of approving the Waters of the U.S. rule.
House Resolution 1732 would force the Environmental Protection Agency, who proposed the rule clarifying its jurisdiction over water flowing into navigable bodies, to withdraw and develop a new proposal.
HR 1732 passed Tuesday 261-155 and now goes to the Senate.
"Today, the U.S. House of Representatives made a clear statement against this administration's brazen overregulation and attempt to have jurisdiction over every puddle on every farm in every state," U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said in a statement. "Landowners, as well as state and local officials are looking for clarity on WOTUS, and this bill directs the EPA work with landowners as well as state and local jurisdictions to develop regulations which protect the environment while preserving private property rights and respecting states' rights."
The EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed the rule after U.S. Supreme Court rulings and the public called for clarification on the Clean Water Act. It would give EPA jurisdiction over "significant access," or water flowing into navigable bodies of water.
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But opponents argue the rule has confused agriculturalists and business owners on what land plots need permits. Democratic U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and Republican U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, both of North Dakota and drivers of similar legislation in the Senate, said the EPA did not work with farmers and ranchers, adding that the rule is an overreach of power.
