Federal lawmakers from Illinois and Missouri want the Obama Administration to scrap a proposed rule defining so-called “Waters of the United States.” They say the proposal gives the federal government too much control over water in yards and on farms.
Missouri Republican Vicky Hartzler is one of several lawmakers co-sponsoring legislation to block the new rule. Illinois U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis also is a sponsor for the bill.
“Basically, it says that the EPA and the Corps of Engineers can’t come in and have jurisdiction over just basic ditches and depressions in our backyards and our farms,” Hartzler said.
The issue is the jurisdiction of the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to enforce provisions of the Clean Water Act. The Obama Administration says its proposed rule would clarify the agencies’ jurisdiction in the wake of two Supreme Court cases over the last 14 years.
“It forces them to go back to the drawing board to clarify who really has jurisdiction over all types of waters in this country,” Hartzler said.
The proposed rule does exclude some ditches and low areas that do not flow into other waters. Senior advisors recommend the president veto the bill, should it reach his desk.
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