From nahb.org
The National Association of Home Builders is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately withdraw final regulations that would dramatically expand the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.
The call is based on new evidence the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers believes EPA used flawed technical and scientific analysis in crafting the regulation that was so indefensible the Corps demanded it be distanced from the rule.
Newly uncovered documents reveal senior Corps officials concluded the final water rule contains serious flaws, contradicts long-standing Clean Water Act legal principles and greatly differs from the proposed rule provided for public comment.
With the rule set to take effect Aug. 28, NAHB Chairman Tom Woods said it will not only exacerbate regulatory uncertainty, but also impede the housing recovery and economic growth by vastly extending the areas in which homebuilders and other landowners are required to get wetlands permits.