Two Idaho Senators Introduce Legislation to Prevent Proposed EPA Water Rule

Last week both of Idaho’s U.S. Senators — Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined a coalition of 28 Senators to introduce a bill which would block the EPA from finalizing its March 2014 proposed rule revising the definition of the Waters of the United States. Field reporter Greg Martin has more.
Martin: "According to the joint news release of the two Idaho U.S. Senators, Senator Capo said, ‘Under this rule, EPA is attempting to regulate virtually every body of water in the country no matter the size.This blatant overreach by the Administration sets a dangerous precedent.  Not only does this unwarranted attempt to exert authority over water outside the scope of the CWA represent an assault on private property rights and state sovereignty,  it puts our economy and family farms in jeopardy.’ And Senator Risch added, ‘What part of ‘navigable waters’ does the Obama administration not understand? This administration and its political appointees believe that every known drop of water landing on every square inch of this great country should be under the control of the federal government.  Litigious environmental groups are influencing this administration to expand the Clean Water Act jurisdictional authority far beyond its original intent.  This executive rule will create a flood of lawsuits on landowners, private businesses and municipalities that will be out of control.’”
Many thanks to Senators Crapo and Risch for supporting legislation protecting farmers and ranchers from this land grab.