releases: http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-questions-epa-deputy-waters-us-rule
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-questions-epa-deputy-waters-us-rule | Tipton Questions EPA Deputy on Waters of the U.S. Rule | 2014-07-30 | 2014 | 2014-07 | Republican | House | CO | Scott Tipton | T000470 | tipton.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) questioned (EPA) Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe during a House Small Business Committee hearing on the EPA’s controversial new rule to redefine waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act. During the hearing, Tipton submitted a letter to the record from the Waters Advocacy Coalition, representing various industries, sectors and interests that would be affected by the waters of the U.S. rule. The letter in part objects to the insufficient analysis offered by the EPA on the impacts this rule will have. The letter’s 39 signers, include the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Gas Association, the Foundation for Environmental and Economic Progress, the National Association of Homebuilders, the National Pork Producers Council and many others. “The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“the agencies”) proposed the rule to “clarify” which waters are federally regulated and which waters remain under the jurisdiction of their respective states. The agencies assert, ‘Because fewer waters will be subject to the CWA under the proposed rule than are subject to regulation under the existing regulations, this action will not affect small entities to a greater degree than the existing regulations,’” the letter states. “We believe the agencies have dramatically underestimated the impact of the proposed rule on small business entities. In reality, the proposed rule establishes broader definitions of existing regulatory categories, such as tributaries, and regulates new areas that are not jurisdictional under current regulations.” See the full letter HERE. Tipton’s questions to Perciasepe focused on getting clarification on what the EPA’s redefinition of waters of the United States actually encompasses. Perciasepe’s responses were broad and did not shine additional light on what surface waters would not be impacted under the new rule. Watch Tipton’s Q&A with Perciasepe HERE. “The EPA’s claims that the redefinition of waters of the United States is simply to provide clarity, and not expand any regulatory authority, are in practice, untrue,” said Tipton. “Even the EPA Deputy Administrator couldn’t provide a clear explanation of what that agency’s redefinition of waters of the U.S. actually encompasses. However, we need to look no further than the rule itself which redefines waters of the U.S. from ‘navigable waterways’ to virtually every form of surface water, regardless of how permanent or temporary the flow is, to get an idea of what it encompasses. This rule has drastic implications for private water users who would now be subject to EPA review for even the most basic projects or access to their water, where they previously were not. That sounds like an expansion of regulatory authority to me, and it sounds like a significant broadening of the EPA’s regulatory scope over surface water in this country. It will have severe impacts on all who rely on privately held water rights, and reeks of massive federal water grab.” Background: The EPA’s proposed rule to redefine “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to include virtually every form of surface water including tributaries and ditches is a drastic expanse of its regulatory reach. Tipton has been at the forefront in Washington in fighting to protect private water rights from federal takings and interference. Tipton’s Water Rights Protection Act (H.R. 3189) passed the House with bipartisan support and is currently awaiting a vote in the Senate. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |