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Builders Launch Grassroots Push in Support of Storm Water Bill
With duplicative and burdensome storm water regulations pushing up the cost of housing by as much as $4,500 a lot, the nation’s home builders have launched a grassroots effort to urge members of Congress to support H.R. 5558, the “Stormwater Enforcement and Permitting Act.”
“H.R. 5558 would reduce the regulatory burden placed on home builders, simplify compliance and provide a more consistent and sensible regulatory approach that better protects America’s rivers and streams,” said NAHB President David Pressly.
Introduced on June 8 by Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) and 16 bipartisan co-sponsors, the legislation would update and improve the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) storm water permit and enforcement policies, which can add $1,400 to $4,500 to the cost of every lot.
The bill, which now has 30 co-sponsors, takes into account the differences between residential construction and other types of construction.
“By taking a more balanced and reasonable approach to storm water management and enforcement, the measure would streamline the permit process, improve compliance and enhance environmental protection,” said Pressly.
Contact Your Members of Congress
Voters troubled over how current storm water regulations unduly increase housing costs while doing little to improve water quality are encouraged to contact their members of Congress and ask them to support H.R. 5558 by adding their name as a co-sponsor to the bill.
It is particularly important to urge members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to co-sponsor the legislation. To view a full list of the committee members and those who have co-sponsored the bill, click here.
To voice your opinion to Capitol Hill lawmakers, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and then ask for your member of Congress.
Or send a letter to your federal lawmakers asking them to support H.R. 5558 by logging on to www.capitolconnect.com/nahb.
To view a one-page summary of the bill, click here.
To read the legislation, click here and enter H.R. 5558 in the box at the upper left.
For more information, e-mail Jason Lynn at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8307.
 Attend the 2006 State & Local Government Affairs Conference
Plan to attend the 2006 State and Local Government Affairs Conference, Nov. 9-11, in New Orleans. Register today and join home builders association staff and builders to learn about the hottest housing issues.
For more information, click here.
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