AUSTIN – Today Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush released the following statement in support of President Donald Trump’s executive order instructing the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rewrite the “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rules that granted the federal government broad and vague powers to regulate rivers, streams and wetlands including those on private property. Commissioner Bush stated:
“Today I stand with the farmers, ranchers and private property owners of Texas in congratulating President Trump on his efforts to rewrite intentionally vague and confusing regulations that have left landowners feeling powerless and fearful. To paraphrase Milton Friedman, good intentions do not mitigate damage done when government overreach harms those it is meant to protect. Our farmers and ranchers already have tough jobs and the government shouldn’t add to that burden by making them navigate murky waters without a compass.”