Simpson and Water

Congressman Mike Simpson today came out in strong opposition to H.R. 5088, America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act. This legislation cedes authority over all waters in the United States to the federal government, including water currently regulated by states, and makes it subject to regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act. “We in the West know just how valuable water is to our way of life.  By giving the federal government jurisdiction over Idaho’s water, this bill could have a devastating impact on our economy, food supply, and the livelihoods of those in rural communities across our state,” said Simpson. “There is no way around it--this is big government asserting that it knows better than states, local governments, and farmers and ranchers how to manage the water supply in Idaho.” Here’s his Communications Director Nikki Watts: “Under this bill the reach of federal jurisdiction over water in Idaho would be so broad that it could significantly restrict the ability of landowners to make decisions about their property and the right of state and local governments to plan for their development.”