Congressman Luke Messer votes to protect Hoosier farmers from EPA overreach

WASHINGTON —Last night, Congressman Luke Messer voted to allow Hoosier farmers to do their jobs without costly and unnecessary government interference.  The Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014 (H.R. 5078), which Congressman Messer voted for, stops the redefinition of “navigable waters” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and preserves the existing federal-state partnership under the Clean Water Act (CWA). 

The CWA was established by Congress in 1972, and created a co-partnership between state and federal regulators so they could work together to maintain the integrity of our nation’s waterways.  Under this Act, the federal government’s authority was limited to “navigable waters.”  Unfortunately, in April of this year, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule that would redefine the scope of the waters subject to federal jurisdiction.  This proposed rule would bypass the legislative process and give more power to the Obama Administration over waters that were never meant to be covered by the CWA like ditches, man-made ponds and seasonally-wet areas.   

“I recently met with the Indiana Farm Bureau and dozens of Hoosier farmers at Miers Farm in Greensburg,” said Congressman Luke Messer.  “And, I have to say, no one understands the importance of clean water more than our nation’s farmers.  But, the Administration’s insistence on broadening its authority under the Clean Water Act has to be stopped.  It does nothing but add huge, unnecessary regulatory costs to our farmers and the millions of American families who depend on them.”

The proposed expansion of regulatory power could have serious consequences for the nation’s economy and significantly restrict the ability of landowners to make decisions about their property and its development.

“On behalf of its farmer members, Indiana Farm Bureau thanks the House for passing legislation to stop the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ overreach,” said Don Villwock, president of Indiana Farm Bureau.  “The proposal is an attempt to expand the Clean Water Act beyond the scope intended by Congress when passed and by the U.S. Supreme Court in its recent rulings.  Indiana farmers appreciate those members of Congress, like Rep. Messer, who are working to block it.”

H.R. 5078 passed in the House 262 to 152.