Georgia Senators Call Federal Water Rule a 'Power Grab'
Thursday, June 26th, 2014
Georgia’s U.S. senators are fighting a proposed rule on water regulation that they say amounts to a federal power grab, yet environmentalists say it only clarifies existing regulations.
Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss announced Monday they are joining with other Republicans in the Senate in cosponsoring legislation to halt implementation of a proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Corps of Engineers known as the “waters of the United States” rule. In it, the two agencies spell out which types of streams, lakes and marshes fall under federal regulation.
The Constitution gives the federal government jurisdiction over so-called navigable waters, or those deep enough to float a commercial barge, like the Savannah River. It was originally a way the Founding Fathers devised to prevent trade wars between states.
