Coalition Letter regarding hearing on “Improving the Federal Environmental Review and Permitting Processes”

Letter

Dear Chairman Capito and Ranking Member Whitehouse:

The Waters Advocacy Coalition (WAC) applauds your leadership in holding today’s hearing on “Improving the Federal Environmental Review and Permitting Processes.” WAC represents a large and diverse cross-section of the nation’s broad business community, including the construction, transportation, real estate, recreation, mining, manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, energy, wildlife conservation, and public health and safety sectors. Our members are vital to building a thriving national economy and are essential to achieving the nation’s critical infrastructure, manufacturing, supply chain, transportation, and energy goals.

Our members operate their businesses in compliance with a comprehensive framework of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies. They regularly obtain a wide range of federal environmental permits, including Clean Water Act (CWA) permits. These include dredge and fill permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under CWA section 404 and discharge permits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state permitting authorities under CWA section 402. Many of our members also conduct activities under the Corps’ Nationwide Permit program, which provides an important option to expedite projects that have lower environmental impact.

For many of our members, CWA permitting can be a major hurdle in moving essential projects forward efficiently. We therefore have a significant interest in the Committee’s work to address how to improve the federal environmental review and permitting processes. We appreciate the Committee’s work to address these challenges and ensure that essential projects are not hindered by bureaucratic delays or uncertainties, while supporting the CWA’s cooperative federalism framework, environmental protection, and the need for a more streamlined, predictable regulatory framework.

We look forward to working with you to identify opportunities for targeted reforms that will help achieve our nation’s ambitious national priorities and support the communities that depend on these projects.

Sincerely,

American Exploration & Mining Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Gas Association
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors of America
American Road and Transportation Builders Association
Golf Course Superintendents of America
Independent Petroleum Association of America
National Asphalt Pavement Association
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Realtors
National Club Association
National Cotton Council
National Multifamily Housing Council
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)
Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association
USA Rice
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

American Road and Transportation Builders Association
Associated Builders and Contractors Associated General Contractors of America Leading Builders of America
Liquid Energy Pipeline Association
National Club Association
National Association of Home Builders National Association of Realtors National Mining Association
National Asphalt Pavement Association
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association The Fertilizer Institute
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association
cc: Members of the Committee on Environment and Public Works

Wat Waters Advocacy Coalition

Hearing on “Improving the Federal Environmental Review and Permitting Processes”