Sebtember 27, 2019
EPA To Repeal WOTUS
Chair Kathy McQuilkin represented NAR members and the real estate industry at a recent EPA-sponsored WOTUS repeal event. She outlined REALTOR® support of the White House’s move to an audience at the National Association of Manufacturers’ offices in Washington, DC. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Congressmen Sam Graves (R-MO) and Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and representatives from the regulated community were in attendance.
The WOTUS rule, which was initially finalized by the EPA under the Obama administration, overreached its statutory jurisdiction by giving the federal government authority to regulate isolated and minor water features, such as ephemeral streams and man-made ditches.
NAR now turns its attention to securing a replacement rule in lieu of WOTUS, and the REALTORS® on Thursday commended the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for moving forward judiciously in this area.
“As proposed, the WOTUS replacement rule will provide clarity on what waters are under federal jurisdiction and preserves state authority over waters in their respective states,” McQuilkin concluded. “Most importantly, the proposed rule offers a common-sense approach that allows for economic development while protecting water quality. “NAR encourages the EPA and the Corps of Engineers to move forward quickly but carefully to finalize the replacement rule, one that will enable more housing to be built so that even more people in this country can have their piece of the American dream.”
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