Waters Advocacy Coalition

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Keep the Wording Of Clean Water Act

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch(March 7):

Editor, Times-Dispatch: As the federal government continues to expand its authority into new areas, including the automotive, banking, and health care industries, the rights and opportunities of states and their citizens continue to dwindle.

Congress is considering a bill that would limit Virginia’s authority to continue working with the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to manage our state’s water resources.

The Clean Water Restoration Act would remove the word “navigable” from the text of the Clean Water Act, giving the federal government authority over all U.S. waters. This seemingly minor change would drastically expand the government’s power and usurp authority from local, community, and state officials.

A one-size-fits-all approach that hands over power to distant federal bureaucrats would be a huge step in the wrong direction and would do little to ensure our nation’s water are clean, safe, secure, and protected.

The unintended consequences associated with this bill are many and would dramatically and adversely affect states, local governments, family farms, and private property owners in managing our water resources. Virginia would be negatively impacted by this legislation.

Virginia has demonstrated a strong capability to maintain and protect our waters. The state goes above and beyond federal water requirements in managing all of our wetlands and water. In fact, the state has more than 20 programs to monitor, assess, and improve waterways. Local and state officials aggressively enforce state environmental laws protecting resources.

The existing Clean Water Act is a commonsense law that has fostered a strong, working federal-state partnership and continues to improve America’s water quality and our environment. Leave current legislation alone. It allows state and federal governments to work together.

I urge Virginia’s congressional delegation to work to protect our state from this burdensome and intrusive expansion of federal authority.

Matthew Lohmann.
Clarke.