WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined a group of 24 senators in expressing concern to the Administration regarding its attempt to significantly expand federal control over water through its proposed definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS).   

In a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the senators outlined how the proposed rule displaces state and local officials in their primary role in environmental protection and imposes restrictions and uncertainty on private property owners.  These points were recently underscored by analysis conducted by Mike Linder, who served as the director of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) from 1999-2013.

“Water is a treasured resource in Nebraska, one that we take great care to protect,” said Senator Fischer.  “This Administration’s WOTUS proposal would jeopardize the operation of our state’s current water protection programs and the stewardship efforts of private landowners.  It is unfortunate that EPA and the Corps intend to pursue this unprecedented overreach regardless of the consequences to states and Americans’ property rights.”

Former NDEQ Director Mike Linder wrote, “This rule would impose a blanket jurisdictional determination over thousands of acres of private property.  The effect would be to impose unnecessary property restrictions and uncertainty… In addition, the federal encroachment of what is now a state delegated program runs counter to the concept of ‘cooperative federalism’ which is a tenant of federal environmental programs.”

Click HERE to view the Senate letter.

Other senators on the letter include John Barrasso (R-Wyo.); Ted Cruz (R-Texas); Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); Pat Roberts (R-Kan.); David Vitter (R-La.); Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.); John Cornyn (R-Texas); Jim Risch (R-Idaho); Marco Rubio; (R-Fla.); Mike Crapo (R-Idaho); Roger Wicker (R-Miss.); Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.); Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.); Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa); Roy Blunt (R-Mo.); John Boozman (R-Ark.); Mike Johanns (R-Neb.); Tim Scott (R-S.C.); Orrin Hatch (R-Utah); Jerry Moran (R-Kan.); Rand Paul (R-Ky.); Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah).