Georgia Chamber Applauds EPA Announcement

The Georgia Chamber applauds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement immediately rescinding the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, originally introduced in 2015. This action will re-codify the law as it was written prior to 2015 and, therefore, maintain the status quo with respect to WOTUS rules and regulations.

“This single action by the EPA will remove the shroud of uncertainty the 2015 rule spread across Georgia’s agricultural community,” said Georgia Chamber President and CEO, Chris Clark. “It will also send a strong message that the Trump administration is committed to decisive action to review and erase unnecessary, burdensome rules and regulations.”

The 2015 WOTUS rule was divisive, a major expansion of federal power, and a federal overreach into states’ traditional water resource management roles.  If allowed to stand, it would have seen almost every ditch, puddle and stream subject to EPA oversight; creating a real and expensive regulatory nightmare for Georgia’s farmers and other major water users.

“There will be no reduction in Georgia’s commitment to managing and protecting the state’s water resources, or by our farmers and businesses in their stewardship of the state’s water resources,” Clark continued.

The Chamber thanks EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, for his work to ensure fair, equitable management of our nation’s water resources and looks forward to working with federal officials throughout the review processes in the future.

 

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