PRINTER'S NO. 498
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
76
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY BROOKS, VOGEL, MARTIN, ROTHMAN, BARTOLOTTA,
HUTCHINSON, PENNYCUICK AND STEFANO, MARCH 15, 2023
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, MARCH 15, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Opposing the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule imposed by
the President of the United States, the United States
Department of the Army and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency.
WHEREAS, On December 30, 2022, the United States Department
of the Army and the United States Environmental Protection
Agency announced the "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the
United States'" rule, which will become effective on March 20,
2023; and
WHEREAS, This rule puts our farmers, ranchers, small business
owners, landowners and families at risk for the possibility of
excessive fines, per day, from the Federal Government in a
flagrant example of government overreach; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, the presidential administration enacted a
WOTUS rule that essentially gave the Federal Government
jurisdiction over every body of water in the country; and
WHEREAS, Now, the current administration is implementing a
new WOTUS rule that will create more uncertainties and problems
for our rural communities; and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
WHEREAS, Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau
Federation said, "As farmers, we understand that those of us
closest to the land, whose livelihoods depend on clean water,
clean air and healthy ecosystems, are the best stewards of our
resources - not the Federal Government. We should not need teams
of attorneys to determine whether we can plow a field or make
improvements to our land. Unfortunately, that will be the
reality with a return to burdensome and confusing water rules";
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
oppose the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States, the United States Department
of the Army and the United States Environmental Protection
Agency.
20230SR0076PN0498 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16