Washington, D.C. – Representative Todd Rokita is again leading the charge to stand up for Hoosier Farmers. Today, the Congressman called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to abandon its “Navigable Waterways” rule, which could potentially allow the agency to regulate Hoosiers’ puddles and front yards.

“The EPA is using flawed economic and scientific data, bypassing court decisions, to control private property,” said Rokita, making his official comment to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Army Corps of Engineers Secretary John McHugh, federal officials responsible for implementing the change.

The Congressman, who represents Indiana’s 4th District, exposes serious problems with the EPA proposal.  “This rule intrudes on the very basic functions of operating a farm,” he said, pointing out that farmers would not be the only Hoosiers affected: Homeowners could be punished for fertilizing their land. In addition to more fees and penalties, they would probably all pay more for specialists to reduce their confusion. 

Rokita questioned the timing of the EPA’s proposal, as the agency presented it on the same day as its scientific study. He challenged the EPA’s claim that regulations would generate $100 million of annual economic activity. “Only in Washington, where bureaucrats have no sense of time or money, would they come up with such a number,” said the member of the House Budget Committee.

Two Supreme Court decisions in the past decade have limited the meaning of “navigable waters” under the Clean Water Act. To define the term, Rokita co-sponsored the Defense of Environment and Property Act. He supports the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act, as well, limiting EPA powers and requiring more accountability to states. “This Administration prefers to operate by executive order, but I’m fighting to make sure it abides by the Constitution and Indiana,” he said.