Opponents say SB 787 is federal ‘water grab’

Nannette Kilbey-Smith
Wilson County News
Jun. 10, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — “This is a terrible bill that would give the federal government jurisdiction over anything that is wet, including seasonal mud flats. This means that the Feds could enter into your property and dictate what you can do with your land,” reads one comment opposing Senate Bill 787. It is one among several posted on the Open Congress Web site that tracks activities of the U.S. Congress.

The bill to “amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify the jurisdiction of the United States over waters of the United States” is also known as the Clean Water Restoration Act. It was introduced April 2 before the 111th Congress. It then was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, where it remains.

Several comments have been posted about the bill, all negative. Opponents of SB 787 suggest it is an attempt at “federal land-grabbing” or an example of “big-business funding.” One comment even questions if it is an attempt to squeeze out farmers and ranchers. Opponents include U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas District 14.

The reason for their concern lies in the definition of waters the bill will cover.

The new definition states, “The term ‘waters of the United States’ means all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters and their tributaries, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds, and all impoundments of the foregoing, to the fullest extent that these waters, or activities affecting these waters, are subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution.”

Read the full text of the bill at http://www.opencongress.org.

On his Web site, “Daily Paul” at http://www.dailypaul.com, Paul writes, “ … the
Water Bill … could be translated into, we want all your water and your land is next! … Say no! So that we can keep our puddles, rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes as they were meant, as private property!”

Paul urges citizens to register opposition to SB 787 by calling the Committee on Environment and Public Works at 202-224-6176.