Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) released the following statement on the “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) final rule issued today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).
“ABC remains concerned that the Waters of the U.S. rule issued today will lead to an unnecessarily longer and more expensive permitting process for contractors which would undoubtedly harm the construction industry,” said ABC Vice President of Government Affairs Geoff Burr. “Throughout the rulemaking process the business community as a whole, state and local officials, as well as a bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers have opposed the considerable expansion of federal jurisdiction granted under the overreaching proposed rule.
“Increased regulatory compliance costs and a more drawn out approval process will harm the construction industry directly and indirectly as our industry’s growth relies largely on a growing economy as a whole,” said Burr. “We are still reviewing the regulations released with this rule today, but remain concerned that this poorly constituted proposal will have a negative impact on any current or proposed construction project that is near a jurisdictional ‘water’ as defined under the now broadened authority of the EPA or Corps.”
The proposed rule would dramatically expand the scope of federal authority over water and land uses across the country and has met heavy opposition from a wide range of industries within the business community, abipartisan group of U.S. Senators, bipartisan group of members of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy.
ABC has been a vocal opponent of WOTUS since it was proposed in April 2014 and has:
- Filed comments along with more than 50 ABC chapters to voice deep concern over the rule
- Filed comments with a group of 375 trade associations to oppose the rule
- Filed comments as a member of the Waters Advocacy Coalition (WAC) to oppose the rule
To read ABC’s comments click here, to read the group of associations comments click here, to read the WAC comments click here.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 21, 2017
Calif. shopping center is first to earn BREEAM USA In-Use certification
The certification measures and monitors environmental performance of existing buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 20, 2017
Professional liability insurance rates for architects and engineers expected to be stable in 2017
Premiums leveled off in 2015, and claims have been stable, helping to hold costs down.
Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2017
Energy Star program at risk
The standard-setting initiative for energy-efficient products may be a victim of Trump budget cuts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 14, 2017
Timber Innovation Act to promote tall wood buildings introduced in Congress
The measure has bipartisan support.
Codes and Standards | Mar 13, 2017
U.S. House and Senate have voted to repeal Dept. of Labor’s 'blacklisting' rule
The rule mandates labor compliance review for federal construction contractors.
Codes and Standards | Mar 9, 2017
WiredScore forms Connectivity Advisory Committee
The committee's creation is an important step forward for the group that evaluates internet connectivity in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 8, 2017
New guide examines multifamily high-performance ventilation
The focus is on cost and performance of various systems.
Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2017
Canada’s national building codes will encompass effects of climate change
Forecasted data, not historical data, will be used as the basis for the codes.
Codes and Standards | Mar 6, 2017
ConsensusDocs updates standard short contract editions
The updates address industry changes impacting insurance, legal, technology, and terminology.
Codes and Standards | Mar 3, 2017
ASCE updates standard for structures using tensile membrane
The new sstandard combines guidelines for conventional tensile membrane structures with frame-covered membrane structures.