House Bill Would Block Water Protection Rule

Lacey McCormick

May 11, 2015

This bill undermines protections of at-risk waters from which we drink, swim, and fish

House bill H.R. 1732 (the "Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015"), introduced by Reps. Gibbs (R-OH) and Shuster (R-PA), would block a proposed rule to restore Clean Water Act protections to smaller streams and wetlands.

One million Americans submitted formal comments on the rule, which was first unveiled in March of last year. More than eighty percent of the comments supported protecting these waters.

Collin O’Mara, president and chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation, said this of the House vote:

"All Americans should have a right to clean, safe drinking water and healthy populations of fish and other aquatic life. This bill undermines protections of at-risk waters from which we drink, swim, and fish. Scuttling the process now is premature as EPA is working to clarify and improve the rule based upon sound science and the million public comments received. We urge Congress to exercise restraint until the final rule is released and to work to protect our drinking water supplies, conserve our favorite recreational waterways, and restore important habitats for numerous species of wildlife."

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