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Week of June 2, 2003

Front Page

President's Message

* June Is National Homeownership Month

Housing and Economics

* All Systems Are ‘Go’ for New Home Sales
* Home Resales on a Roll in April
* Spotlight on: Tampa

Housing Politics

* Resolutions in Congress Call for Free Trade on Canadian Lumber

Business Management

* Get the Most Business Out of Your Parade of Homes

For Consumers

* Home Inspectors and Builders Working to Improve Relations
* Homeownership Bus Touring the Country

Multifamily

* NAHB Supports Builder in Fair Housing Accessibility Case

Legal Issues

* NAHB Provides Legal Action Funds for Builders in Six States

Small Builders and Remodelers

* Contractor's Corner — Learn About the Aging-in-Place Market

Seniors Housing

* Older Americans Are an Ever Growing Niche

Member Dividends

* Background on Wetlands Regulation Available to NAHB Members

Sales & Marketing

* There Is No Substitute for a Well-Trained Sales Force

Codes and Standards

* Report for NAHB Members Examines Visitability Issue
* New CEO Named to International Code Council

Research

* Consumer Trends in Building Material Purchases Surveyed

Building Systems

* Council Acknowledged for BUILD-PAC Fundraising Efforts

Labor

* Job Corps a Resource for NAHB Members

Building Products

* Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet Provides Unique Features

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* NAHB Membership Day a Banner Success

NBN Back Issues

 

Background on Wetlands Regulation Available to NAHB Members

When Arnold Tritt, executive officer of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, was asked some tough questions on environmental issues by his local newspaper, he got his answers by consulting with the experts at NAHB.

The reporter asked several questions, including the following:

  • What is the federal permitting and development process for building near water as well as on, or near, wetlands?
  • Do you think the current regulations for residential and other development along Florida’s waterways are too strict?
  • What about environmentalists who think any development near water is harmful?
  • What are developers doing to prevent any negative impacts on waterways and the surrounding environment?

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Tritt received a quick response from NAHB, which provided the in-depth information on wetlands regulations and the Clean Water Act he needed to answer those questions.

For a start, he was able to cite a 2001 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court — in Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) vs. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — that federal Clean Water Act regulation does not extend to isolated wetlands.

This decision has raised some difficult issues for federal regulatory agencies. Distinguishing under federal law between the areas that deserve stringent environmental protection and those that don’t is no easy matter, but one that has significant repercussions for the nation’s home builders.

Home builders associations or NAHB members who are interested in receiving background information on wetlands regulation, isolated wetlands and other issues related to the federal definition of “waters of the United States” can e-mail Neil Gaffney in NAHB’s Public Affairs Department or call him at 800-368-5242 x8495.


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Nation's Building News Online is produced and distributed by the National Association of Home Builders