Washington, D.C. – Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) responded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to not extend the deadline for public comments on the revised definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS).
“Over 160 of our House Colleagues, 36 Senators, Governors, state officials, agencies, businesses, and conservation groups asked for an extension of the EPA’s 60-day comment period on the plan to replace the 2015 Clean Water Rule. The proposed rule will make streams and waterways that more than 117 million Americans utilize for drinking water more vulnerable to pollution. A 60-day comment period is insufficient for an issue that affects so many Americans. The public should have a real opportunity to read and respond thoughtfully to this proposed rule, which will significantly curtail the Clean Water Act. Anything else is simply unacceptable,” the Members said.
Last month, DeFazio and Napolitano joined their House and Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the EPA, urging an extension to the comment period for the proposed change. That letter can be found here.
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