Posted on 03/25/2014 3:37:58 PM PDT by jazusamo
In what critics are describing as a government land grab, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed a change Tuesday to the Clean Water Act that would give it regulatory authority over temporary wetlands and waterways.
The proposal immediately sparked concerns that the regulatory power could extend into seasonal ponds, streams and ditches, including those on private property.
"The ... rule may be one of the most significant private property grabs in U.S. history," said Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
The EPA proposal would apply pollution regulations to the country's so-called "intermittent and ephemeral streams and wetlands" -- which are created during wet seasons, or simply after it rains, but are temporary.
At issue is whether the smaller streams and wetlands are indeed part of the "waters of the United States."
The Supreme Court ruled on the issue in 2001 and 2006. The second ruling restricted the federal government's authority by stating such waters must be "relatively" permanent or continuously flowing and sizeable, like "oceans, rivers, streams and lakes."
In defending the proposed change, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday that determining Clean Water Act protection for streams and wetlands became "confusing and complex" following the high court decisions.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I guess that means that the EPA considers the big puddle in my back yard from the snow melting is a “navigable waterway.” Talk about power hunger idiocy.
Those fortunate enough to have a seasonal or not stream or pond are generally involved in caring for the land anyway as part of their livelihoods. I doubt they need EPA nannies flicking switches at their ankles.
The commies see the writing on the November wall and are setting their claws in while they can.
Defund, defund, defund. Let these rats lose THEIR houses, for once.
Oh, “temporary” wetlands. Everywhere except Death Valley.
Just another incremental step toward implementation of Agenda 21.
“... We’ve had (R) control of D.C., HOW many times since 1980 ...”
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Only from 2003 - 2007 but we never had 60 votes in the senate.
Yes, the power hungry idiots basically are trying their best to do away with the “navigable waterway” thing entirely and go around the former SCOTUS ruling.
Exactly, if for nothing else just to ensure that seasonal water doesn’t do damage to their property, I’ve been their and done that.
Defund the EPA NOW!
Here in Michigan you can’t walk 100 yards without stepping in some kind of water.
Technically, they might try to claim our lands based on below ground water tables. Sorry, for the scary idea.
And hang the EPA perps on the Capitol Steps.
Up your way and the states abutting you this could turn into a huge nightmare of abuse by the EPA.
Not just rural. The Corps Of Engineers have already tried to enforce "wetlands" laws on every dry patch of earth that someone spit on once. Every curb and gutter, every lawn or vacant lot. Everywhere, really would come under their expanded jurisdiction.
to further agenda 21 and force people off their land.
we gotta end this sh1t now.
and unless we run and elect people who do more than lip service about shutting down rogue alphabet agencies, they will just let them continue on.
that’s the entire point. and if you complain any puddles on your property...
At one point, I was very interested in a proposal to get rid of the EPA, but it's not that simple.
Between 1955 and 1972, Congress passed a whole slew of unconstitutional laws like the Clean Air Act, the Clean Waters Restoration Act, the Air Pollution Control Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and many others.
these laws impose on the Executive Branch the duty to analyze conditions and to write and enforce regulations to carry out extremely vague mandates.
Nixon created the EPA by Executive order to simplify the tasks, which were then divided among dozens of existing agencies.
The EPA, as such, has never been authorized by Congress. If a President revoked Executive Order 15623, and the EPA ceased to exist, all the laws it is charged with enforcing would still exist, and there would spring up dozens of replacement agencies.
To remove this monster, it is necessary to start repealing the underlying statutes, no small task.
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