EPA Region 6 Administrator Announces Repeal of 2015 WOTUS Rule at Dallas BA
The Dallas Builders Association on Sept. 12 hosted EPA Region 6 Administrator Ken McQueen, who announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of the Army’s finalization of the repeal of the problematic 2015 “waters of the United States” rule. The announcement was welcome news to Dallas BA, who, in coordination with the National Association of Home Builders, has advocated for the rule’s repeal and replacement.
The EPA said the action will restore the regulatory text that existed before the 2015 rule. “Hardworking Americans will be able to build a better future for themselves and their communities as a result of today’s action,” said Regional Administrator McQueen in a statement today. “I look forward to working with our state partners and our stakeholders as we move forward.”
Stating that the Association has long been concerned with how regulatory burdens can price families out of the opportunity to afford a new home, Dallas BA President Matt Robinson offered the Association’s appreciation for the Trump Administration taking a “major step towards providing needed regulatory relief to home builders and home buyers, who ultimately pay the costs of regulatory overreach.”
Also in attendance today were Toby Baker, Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Elliot Carmen; Regulatory Appeals Review Officer of the Southwest Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and representatives from the offices of Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. and Congressman Van Taylor.
Dallas Builders Association hosted the former Administrator for the entire Environmental Protection Agency in 2017 for a policy roundtable to give direct feedback from home builders and developers affected by the 2015 WOTUS Rule. Dallas BA members were able to better explain how little land would be left unregulated in Texas and how the overreaching rule could threaten housing affordability.
“The Dallas Builders Association believes that everyone deserves a roof over their head and an affordable place to live,” Robinson said today. “And we will continue our advocacy with that in mind. We appreciate that this Administration is also showing the same commitment.”
Also, in a statement today, U.S. Senator John Cornyn praised the EPA’s announcement. “Texans know better than most the importance of protecting water sources, but the ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule prevents farmers, landowners, and job creators from taking care of their land how they know best,”, said Sen. Cornyn. Click here to view Senator Cornyn’s full statement.