Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR) today applauded the Administration for finalizing a new rule to provide for the reasonable regulation of the Nation’s waters without trampling the rights of states, local communities, farmers, small businesses, and private citizens across the country.

The Administration promised to put forward today’s new rule after previously repealing the Obama Administration’s sprawling Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule – an expansion of the Clean Water Act that sought to dramatically reduce state and local decision-making with regard to waters and land use. The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule reestablishes that successful, long-standing federal-state partnership.

“I commend President Trump for keeping his promise to farmers, small business owners, and communities across the country by replacing the overreaching Obama WOTUS rule. The new rule offers greater certainty and promotes the important partnership between states and the federal government in ensuring we have a healthy environment. I look forward to working with the Administration to see this important rule implemented as intended,” said Graves.

“I’m pleased to see the administration carrying out its promise to scale back overbearing regulations and implement rules that will help rural American communities, not hurt them,” said Westerman. “I’ve heard from farmers and small business owners across Arkansas who repeatedly run into issues obtaining permits, managing their land, or navigating convoluted procedures. This WOTUS overhaul will restore commonsense regulation, allowing us to steward our nation’s resources without infringing on private citizens’ rights.”