SENATE PANEL APPROVES CLEAN WATER BILL; OPPONENTS VOW FILIBUSTER
News Date June 22, 2009
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Clean Water Restoration Act (S. 787) last week and reported the bill to the full Senate for action. The legislation, as originally introduced by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), was modified by an amendment offered by Sens. Max Baucus (D-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA).
The bill reported to the full Senate removes "navigable" from the definition of waters under jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act and would include such bodies of water as intrastate waterways, intermittent streams, and isolated ponds under federal jurisdiction. NASDA sent a letter to the Committee opposing S. 787 and amendments like the Baucus amendment. A copy of that letter is available on the NASDA website.
Meanwhile, Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and James Inhofe (R-OK) are leading Senate opposition to the legislation and have placed a "hold" on the bill. The lawmakers said they would filibuster the measure if it reaches the Senate floor for debate and will continue their efforts to "ensure that we protect private property owners, farmers, ranchers, and all those affected by the bill’s regulatory overreach." (Contact: Nathan Bowen)