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Moolenaar says Congress shouldn’t wait for lawsuits

U.S. Representative John Moolenaar of Michigan says the Senate needs to get to work on reining in the EPA’s Clean Water Rule. Moolenaar, who serves on the House Ag Committee, tells Brownfield the Clean Water Rule creates a tremendous amount of uncertainty in states that are now under the new regulations including Michigan.

“Farmers have to ask the question: ‘Do I need a federal permit? Can the EPA regulate mud puddles on my property? How will they interpret navigable waters, ditches? How will that effect many of their day to day regular operations?’”

Moolenaar says many in Congress are questioning what the role is of the EPA.

“This is tremendous overreach by the EPA and we need to continue to fight it.”

He says Congress shouldn’t have to wait to see what the court decides on EPA overreach, which is why the House voted to rescind the rule. And, he says, why the House approved an act that requires Congressional approval for major regulations.  “One of the bills we recently passed in the House is the REINS Act which would require any Executive Branch rule with an economic impact annually of $100 million or more to come before Congress for an up or down vote before enacting.”

Moolenaar tells Brownfield the Clean Water Rule could also drive up costs for farmers who may need to hire legal advice for land use. He advises farmers and others impacted to contact their U.S. Senators and encourage them to move a rescinding policy forward.

Interview with Representative John Moolenaar (7:11 mp3):