House Bill Introduced to Stop EPA Waters of the U.S. Rule

On Monday, Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and other members of Congress introduced H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 (also known as the RIP Act), to force the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to withdraw their joint rule redefining “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS).  The bill was quickly heard in House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Markup on Wednesday, where it passed with a bipartisan majority.  

Congressional leaders have been steadfast in their opposition to the EPA WOTUS rule since it was released to the public in April 2014, with past attempts to block the rule including budget riders to stop implementation funding and numerous hearings questioning EPA, the Corps, and the intent of the rule.  Many stakeholders, including RCRC, oppose the rule as an inappropriate expansion of federal jurisdiction over waterways that have no significant nexus to federal waters.  The RIP Act would require EPA and the Corps to withdraw the rule and redraft it with greater consideration and consultation with stakeholders such as local and state governments, agricultural interests, and other groups impacted by the rule.  

RCRC supports the RIP Act and will be formally supporting the bill as it moves through the Congressional process.  For more information on the RIP Act, visit the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee website, accessed here.