Chairman Agrees to Narrow Scope of Clean Water Restoration Act at Rep. Salazar’s Urging

Washington, DC – United States Congressman John Salazar announced today that Chairman James Oberstar agreed to slow down efforts to move the Clean Water Restoration Act, H.R. 2421.

The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee held a 12-hour hearing on Wednesday on the Clean Water Restoration Act. The Chairman conceded during the proceedings that his bill would indeed expand federal jurisdiction.

Congressman Salazar has raised several concerns with the bill over the past several months and has urged his colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure to take a long look at the impacts of the legislation before moving forward. Salazar’s principal concerns have been over land and water rights, an expanded definition of waters of the United States, and the fact the government would gain the power to regulate any body of water, including wet meadows, stock ponds, and irrigation ditches.

“I am pleased Chairman Oberstar has indicated a willingness to explore changes to his legislation. Water is the lifeblood of Colorado and I will do everything in my power to preserve our way of life,” said Congressman Salazar. “We must be careful in Congress not to cede too much power and control to the federal government, especially when it comes to water. I am afraid the bill as written does just that and I will work to ensure our way of life is not affected.

“I was pleased to have two distinguished water attorneys from Colorado testify before the committee and express the very real concerns we – in the West and in the agricultural community in particular – have with the bill.”

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	For immediate release: April 17, 2008
	Contact: (202) 225-4761 Eric Wortman, Communications Director
	Chairman Agrees to Narrow Scope of Clean Water Restoration Act at Rep. Salazar’s Urging
	Washington, DC – United States Congressman John Salazar announced today that Chairman James Oberstar agreed to slow down efforts to move the Clean Water Restoration Act, H.R. 2421. The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee held a 12-hour hearing on Wednesday on the Clean Water Restoration Act. The Chairman conceded during the proceedings that his bill would indeed expand federal jurisdiction. Congressman Salazar has raised several concerns with the bill over the past several months and has urged his colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure to take a long look at the impacts of the legislation before moving forward. Salazar’s principal concerns have been over land and water rights, an expanded definition of waters of the United States, and the fact the government would gain the power to regulate any body of water, including wet meadows, stock ponds, and irrigation ditches. “I am pleased Chairman Oberstar has indicated a willingness to explore changes to his legislation. Water is the lifeblood of Colorado and I will do everything in my power to preserve our way of life,” said Congressman Salazar. “We must be careful in Congress not to cede too much power and control to the federal government, especially when it comes to water. I am afraid the bill as written does just that and I will work to ensure our way of life is not affected. “I was pleased to have two distinguished water attorneys from Colorado testify before the committee and express the very real concerns we – in the West and in the agricultural community in particular – have with the bill.”
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