OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET: Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 2018 - Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act (Rep. Mica, R-FL, and 39 cosponsors) (HQ)
WASHINGTON -
The Administration strongly opposes H.R 2018 because it would
significantly undermine the Clean Water Act (CWA) and could
adversely affect public health, the economy, and the
environment.
Under the CWA, one of the Nation’s most successful and
effective environmental laws, the Federal Government acts to ensure
safe levels of water quality across the country through the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since the enactment of the
CWA in 1972, the Federal Government has protected the waterways our
citizens depend on by using its checks and balances authority to
review and adjust key State water pollution control decisions,
where necessary, to assure that they reflect up to date science,
comply with the law, and protect downstream water users in other
States. H.R. 2018 would roll back the key provisions of the CWA
that have been the underpinning of 40 years of progress in making
the Nation’s waters fishable, swimmable, and drinkable.
H.R. 2018 could limit efforts to safeguard communities by removing
the Federal Government’s authority to take action when State
water quality standards are not protective of public health. In
addition, it would restrict EPA’s authority to take action
when it finds that a State’s CWA permit or permit program is
inadequate and would shorten EPA’s review and collaboration
with the Army Corps of Engineers on permits for dredged or fill
material. All of these changes could result in adverse impacts to
human health, the economy, and the environment through increased
pollution and degradation of water bodies that serve as venues for
recreation and tourism, and that provide drinking water sources and
habitat for fish and wildlife.
H.R. 2018 would disrupt the carefully constructed complementary
CWA roles for EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and States in
protecting water quality. It also could eliminate EPA’s
ability to protect water quality and public health in downstream
States from actions in upstream States, and could increase the
number of lawsuits challenging State permits. In sum, H.R. 2018
would upset the CWA’s balanced approach to improve water
quality across the Nation, risking the public health and economic
benefits of cleaner waters.
If the President is presented with this legislation, his senior
advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.