Reduce environmental protections under the Clean Water Act?

Environment and Energy
PERMIT Act (H.R. 3898)
Awaiting Vote
Bill Summary

The Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (“PERMIT”) Act reduces the scope of governmental regulation under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA protects “navigable waters” which include all U.S. waters, territorial seas, and wetlands. H.R. 3898 redefines “navigable waters” to exclude waste treatment systems, temporary streams created by precipitation, prior converted cropland, groundwater, and other specified bodies of water from CWA protection. Sponsor: Rep. Mike Collins (Republican, Georgia, District 10)
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Opponents say

•    "Our nation's wetlands and streams are at risk. Birds, other wildlife, and people all share a need for clean water. Audubon is working to pass federal legislation to protect all waters that were historically protected under the Clean Water Act… The Clean Water Act (CWA) is landmark environmental protection legislation passed in 1972 that applies to all waters of the United States. It sets standards, defines permit requirements, and establishes enforcement powers and penalties. Pollutants, industrial wastewater discharge, and sewage treatment are all regulated under the Act's provisions." Source: National Audubon Society


•    "For 50 years, the Clean Water Act, a law passed by a bipartisan Congress in 1972, has been the central tool used to protect the clean water needed for our communities. When enforced, the Clean Water Act protects America’s families and communities by preventing unchecked pollution from contaminating our streams and rivers, including drinking water sources. Without its basic safeguards in place, the waters that 217 million people across America depend on for drinking water and use every day, and that support multi-billion-dollar outdoors, brewing, fisheries and tourism businesses, are at risk of pollution and destruction." Source: Southern Environmental Law Center

Proponents say

•    "The PERMIT Act delivers much-needed reform to the Clean Water Act that will overhaul permitting processes and reduce burdens on permit seekers. As we enter a new era with a renewed focus on domestic energy production and growth, this legislation delivers the tools that our country needs to build faster, smarter, and safer. When I was appointed as Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I put myself on a mission to make our government more efficient and productive for the American people. With Chairman Graves’ leadership, and all members who introduced proposals, I am proud to say that we are doing just that with the PERMIT Act." Source: Rep. Mike Collins (Republican, Georgia, District 10)


•    "The National Hydropower Association welcomes the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s focus on improving implementation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in support of national energy goals…. For too long, certifying authorities have leveraged the certification process to delay and deny the licensing of hydropower projects for reasons unrelated to any water quality effects of the discharges from those projects. These commonsense improvements will ensure that hydropower and other energy projects receive timely water quality certifications while maintaining Section 401’s core purpose of allowing certifying authorities to ensure that discharges from federally licensed or permitted projects meet the requirements of the CWA." Source: National Hydropower Association


•    "Clean water is essential to the viability of all agricultural operations and farmers go to great lengths to protect the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with. However, the current permitting framework under the CWA often presents unnecessary delays, regulatory uncertainty, and administrative burdens that hinder agricultural production, conservation, and environmentally beneficial projects. Thoughtful reform is urgently needed to ensure that the permitting process remains both environmentally responsible and efficient." Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

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