Ernst Statement on Final WOTUS Rule

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement after the White House Office of Management and Budget released the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finalized “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule:

“I am still reviewing the lengthy nature of this final rule, however, I remain concerned that the EPA did not seriously consider the comments and perspective from whom this rule will directly effect. The EPA has repeatedly ignored the legitimate concerns raised throughout this process and continues to act as an unchecked federal agency of the Obama Administration.

“Iowans have voiced their concern. In fact, just last week Mrs. Darcy Dougherty Maulsby, a fifth-generation farmer and small business owner from Lake City, Iowa, testified before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee on the impact of the WOTUS rule, and shared her personal experience with the EPA’s harmful impact and overregulation in Iowa.

“Nonetheless, the EPA wants to continue this overreach, expanding its power over family farms, small businesses, ranchers, and other landowners in our rural communities. Every community wants clean water and to protect our nation’s waterways, but we simply cannot allow mounting unnecessary environmental regulations to overwhelm the common sense voice of hardworking Americans.

“I remain committed to fighting for our agriculture communities not only in Iowa, but across this country, and will work to stop any harmful impact this rule will have.”

BACKGROUND:

• Earlier this month, Senator Ernst introduced Iowa farmer and small business owner Darcy Maulsby to testify on the impact of WOTUS before the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, and share her personal experience with the harmful impact and overregulation by the EPA in Iowa.
• In February, Senator Ernst invited EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to Iowa to see the potential impact of overregulation in Iowa.
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