Today, U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, made the following statement regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement on the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rulemaking, which could significantly expand federal authority over streams, ditches, ponds, and other local waterbodies - many of which are located on private property throughout the U.S.

"The ‘waters of the U.S.' rule may be one of the most significant private property grabs in U.S. history," Vitter said. "Today's rule also shows EPA picking and choosing the science they use. Peer review of the Agency's connectivity report is far from complete, and yet they want to take another step toward outright permitting authority over virtually any wet area in the country, while at the same time providing a new tool for environmental groups to sue private property owners."

Vitter has also questioned the EPA's rushed approach toward the CWA rulemaking, and has raised concerns with the scientific review process, as well as the economic consequences of EPA's CWA regulations. Click here to read more.

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