The House this week passed legislation to block the EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. rule that they were hoping would clarify the Clean Water Act. South Dakota Congresswoman Kristi Noem says she’s heard many concerns about the proposed rule, most of them related to EPA’s over expanding its powers and exceeding its authority by bypassing Congress.
EPA officials have said they have no intention to regulate every small body of water including ponds. Noem says however they’re public statements and the reality are quite different as evidenced by recent maps put out by the agency.
Noem says while EPA wants to clarify the Clean Water Act, they really need to clarify their intentions with the proposed rule.