The EPA Extended the Waters of the U.S. Public Comment Period
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just announced an extension of the public comment period for the from the original deadline of July 21, 2014 to the new deadline of October 20, 2014.
In an email to congressional staff, the EPA writes that: "This extension is in response to numerous requests received by the agencies. The agencies are continuing to meet with representatives of States and local governments, stakeholders, and elected officials during the comment period."
When
I look at the southwest and how we manage our water, I see a very different view
than what's being portrayed in the current rule. This rule goes beyond the
spirit of the Clean Water Act and is an incredible overreach of power.
Join the conversation and share your comments using one
of the methods listed below:
The proposed rule is identified by Docket ID No.
EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0880.
Follow
the instructions for making comments
- Email: ow-docket@epa.gov. Include EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0880 in the subject line of the message.
- Mail: Send the original and three copies of comments to: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0880.
- Hand Delivery/Courier: Deliver comments to EPA Docket Center, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0880. Such deliveries are accepted only during the Docket's normal hours of operation, which are 8:30 a.m.. to 4:30 p.m.., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The telephone number for the Water Docket is 202-566-2426.
Background
On March 25, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
U.S.. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released a proposed rule that would assert
Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction over nearly all areas with any hydrologic
connection to downstream navigable waters, including man-made conveyances such
as ditches. In early May, 2014, Congressman
Schweikert joined House colleagues in a to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and
Department of the Army Secretary John McHugh or the proposed draft rule defining
'waters of the US' to be withdrawn and returned for further analysis and
revision. Last Monday,
Congressman Schweikert hosted a joint roundtable in Phoenix with
stakeholders from
the Arizona business and agricultural community. Participants and panelists
discussed the implications of the EPA's proposed "Waters of the U.S." Clean
Water Act rule.
Links
Letter to EPA
