New EPA Chief Praises Trump’s Order to End Government “Power Grab” of Private Property Land Use
President Trump’s new Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt said the president’s rollback of the “Waters of the United States” rule represents the end of a government “power grab” of private property land use.
Pruitt stated, “Farmers are very happy about the beginning of the rollback.”
He added, “You had a power grab that was taking place at the EPA where they were trying to assert jurisdiction over land use decisions that were being made by private property owners and cities and towns and states across the country.”
Pruitt also explained:
“The rule “literally” categorized dry creek beds and ditches dug on private property a “water[way] of the United States,” and therefore under government purview. They were trying to assert authority over land use decisions by landowners… Trump’s executive order is exactly what we needed to see to send the message to farmers and ranchers.”
Pruitt said the government’s purview of waterways traditionally fell under those that are used in interstate commerce.
