The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association has welcomed a senate resolution calling for withdrawal of the controversial Waters of the United States rule.
Senators Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Deb Fischer, R-Neb, submitted a resolution that the sense of the Senate is “that clean water is a national priority, and that the June 29, 2015, Waters of the United States Rule should be withdrawn or vacated.”
"The rule would drastically increase the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency and would cost the aggregates industry millions of dollars to comply with new requirements. A nationwide stay is currently keeping the rule from being implemented across the country," the association says.
“At a time when there is bipartisan agreement on the need for an investment in infrastructure, it is essential that this rule not add to the costs of airport runways, roads and bridges,” said Ashley Amidon, director of government affairs, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.
“NSSGA applauds Senators Fischer and Ernst for their principled stand against this unprecedented jurisdictional grab.”
These senators are the latest lawmakers to push for the withdrawal of the Waters of the United States rule. Recently, 29 members of Congress sent a letter to President-elect Trump urging the new administration to “rescind the harmful and flawed Waters of the U.S. rule” upon taking office.
Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, is also an outspoken opponent of the proposed rule and has filed lawsuits on behalf of the Sooner state against the Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to stop it
