Press Releases

 – Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) today released a statement following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of the Army’s announcement of their intent to revise the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act:  

“I am greatly concerned about the impact any WOTUS rule change would have on Southeastern North Carolina,” said Congressman Rouzer. “No bureaucrat in Washington should be able to dictate what our farm families, small businesses, local governments and citizens do on their property after a significant rainfall.  Restoring the Obama-era rule would result in regulation of nearly every body of water — including streams, water in a ditch after a storm, and puddles — and even some dry land.  As the EPA works to revise the WOTUS rule, they must remain within their Constitutional authority and prevent overly burdensome regulations that would negatively impact our communities.”

Background: 

In 2019, Congressman Rouzer applauded the Trump Administration’s repeal of the 2015 EPA rule that vastly expanded the definition of “Waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act. The Obama-era regulation subjected bodies of water of any size – down to ponds, ditches or puddles, and even some dry land – to a maze of federal bureaucracy and regulation.

Congressman Rouzer has long been a vocal opponent of the 2015 rule, supporting measures on the House floor to block the rule and joining North Carolina farmers, municipalities, and businesses in calling for its repeal.