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Long Hearing Looks at ‘Drastic’ Clean Water Act Changes
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a legislative hearing on April 16 on “H.R. 2421, the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007.”
The legislation was introduced by Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) with a companion bill, S. 1870, unveiled in the Senate by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.).
Over the past year, NAHB has worked against both of these bills, which would greatly broaden the scope of the Clean Water Act (CWA) by expanding the definition of “waters of the United States” and encompassing not just those that are “navigable.”
Under the drastic changes proposed by the legislation, almost every wet area in the country would fall under federal jurisdiction. By bringing waters that are now designated as state-controlled under federal jurisdiction, the bills would result in an exponential permit increase for builders.
The hearing — which consisted of five panels and lasted nearly 10 hours — included government officials, lawyers and county commissioners.
Proponents and opponents of the bill were roughly split. Those in favor of H.R. 2421 said that the legislation was a simple clarification or restoration of the original intent of the CWA; opponents said it would expand the scope of current law and that it would be unconstitutional if it did not distinguish between state and federal waters.
Although Oberstar said his bill was a work-in-progress and that he was willing to compromise, no specifics were decided.
NAHB again submitted written testimony to the committee, and the association will continue to work with the House panel and its Senate counterpart during the coming months.
To read the legislation, click here and type the bill number in the box at the center of the page. For more information, e-mail Anna Raymond at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8307.
 Mark Your Calendar for the 2008 NAHB Legislative Conference
The 2008 NAHB Legislative Conference provides a unique opportunity for builders to meet with their members of Congress, discuss the issues that affect their business and bottom line and establish a lasting relationship with their elected federal officials.
The day-long conference on Wednesday, April 30 coincides with the NAHB spring board meeting in Washington, D.C.
Builders are encouraged to travel to the nation’s capital to urge their representatives and senators to support policies that stabilize housing, restore confidence in the credit markets and bolster the nation’s economy.
Members of Congress are being urged to:
- Support a temporary home buyer tax credit to boost sales, reduce excess inventory in housing markets and halt the dangerous erosion of house prices
- Enact Federal Housing Administration modernization to assist first-time and moderate-income home buyers and alleviate the mortgage credit crunch
- Adopt comprehensive reform legislation for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to enable these financial institutions to provide badly needed liquidity to the mortgage market
- Expand the mortgage revenue bond program to help strapped borrowers refinance existing loans
- Allow businesses to carry back net operating losses for five years to save jobs and help them weather the economic storm
For more information and to register for NAHB’s 2008 Legislative Conference, click here; or e-mail Molly Murray at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8282.
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