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As part of a Regulatory Mundle Mundle Manufactured by the United States Environmental Protection Agency last week, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the agency It would review the definition of “United States Waters” in the Law of Clean Water.
The purpose of this review is to reduce permission costs for developers who want to build -on land covered by these rules, according to the EPA’s announcement.
“We want clean water for all North -American supported by clear and consistent rules for all states, farmers and small businesses,” Zeldin said in the statement. The administrator stated that the definition of Wots of the Biden administration increased the cost of doing business.
Plurifamily organizations, including the National Apartment Association, applauded the announcement, given the impact of regulations and their costs associated with housing development.
“The increase in the supply of housing of the nation has never been more important than today, especially since the multi -family permits and beginnings are falling across the country,” said Nicole Upano, vice president of housing policy and regulatory affairs of the NAA, in Multifamily Dive.
The National Multifamily Housing Council also praised the news.
“This question has been an unnecessary barrier to the new development and we are optimistic that the EPA work will increase the certainty for the owners and will decrease the costs of compliance, ultimately reducing the costs of the house for rental housing suppliers and residents,” said Colin Dunn, vice -president of NMHC’s public affairs and communications.
Any body of water defined in Wotus is undergoing protection against pollution under the CWA. Most Recently completed edition From this rule he was released by the EPA and the Corps of Engineers of the United States Army in 2023.
The EPA intends to review the definition to align with the Supreme Court’s decision Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency In May 2023. The court’s opinion stated that the use of the CWA of the term “waters” only refers to permanent, permanent or continuously flowing of water currents, oceans, rivers and lakes, and that wetlands would only be covered if they had a continuous surface connection with protected water bodies in a different way.
Many housing organizations have recently requested the Congress and the White House to review and review various regulations that affect the industry, including the clean water law and the definition of Wotus.
The National Association of Housing Builders testified to the Senate Commission on Environment and Public Works on February 25 on the impact of environmental regulations To allow and housing costs. Shortly afterwards, the National Apartments Association and the National Council of Multifamily Housing asked the federal agencies to reconsider Various rules and regulations, including guidelines on the Law of Clean Waters.
