Istook Insight: Your land is their land?
Published: July 30th, 2015
Your land is not your land.
Even if you’re no place near water, the Environmental Protection Agency says their new clean water regulations control what you can do on your own property.
President Obama claims the rules are needed to protect water from climate change.
Even if water only flows nearby during a 100-year flood, the EPA says they can regulate you each and every year.
So farmers, contractors, and 28 state governments are among those suing to block the EPA’s new water rules. Otherwise, they are effective August 28.
The Farm Bureau says planting crops could require a federal permit, likewise for plowing or putting up a fence. Road-builders say moving dirt or digging ditches might need EPA’s approval.
State and local governments might find zoning laws need a federal okay.
Washington’s motto seems to be “All your land belongs to us.”