Issues statement on administration’s proposal to change ‘waters of the United States’ definition
Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ proposal to rein in federal overreach by replacing the Obama administration’s 2015 definition of “waters of the United States” with a clear definition and by creating a cost-effective approach to distinguishing federally protected waterways from state protected waterways.
“I am pleased to see the EPA and Army Corps’ proposal that finally provides common-sense definition of ‘waters of the United States,’” Sen. Cruz said. “Only in Washington can a puddle or dry ditch be considered navigable water. Today’s WOTUS announcement is evidence of this administration’s commitment to reining in federal overreach and protecting the property rights of landowners. This proposal will replace the Obama administration’s broad regulation which greatly expanded the scope of federal authority over land and waterways in the United States. Ultimately, it will prevent the federal government from telling private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and others in Texas and across America what they can and cannot do with their private property.”