Press Releases

***Updated Media Advisory***

Reps. Gosar & Schweikert To Hold Joint Field Hearing On EPA Water Grab

U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04), in conjunction with U.S. Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06), will hold a joint field hearing this Monday, June 2, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona. The hearing will closely analyze the EPA's proposed rule to expand the definition of "navigable waters of the United States" and the potential harm such an expansion may cause to businesses and consumers. The hearing is called "The EPA’s Unauthorized Usurpation of State and Tribal Water Rights: Cleaning up the Clean Water Act."

Participants Include: U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith, Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, U.S. Congressman David Schweikert, Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on the Environment, U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S., Member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power, U.S. Congressman Matt Salmon, U.S. Congressman Trent Franks, and Arizona State Senator Gail Griffin, Chairman of the Senate Government and Environment Committee.

Panelists Include: Michael Lacey of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Governor Gregory Mendoza of Gila River Indian Community, Jay Johnson of the Central Arizona Project, Dr. Kirsten Engel of the University of Arizona, Stefanie Smallhouse of the Arizona Farm Bureau, Bob Lynch of Irrigation and Electrical Districts’ Association of Arizona, Spencer Kamps of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, Matthew Hinck of the Arizona Rock Products Association, and Nicole LaSlavic - Arizona Association of Realtors.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy and Department of the Army Secretary John McHugh were invited to attend but declined the invitation to participate.

This event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Monday, June 2, 2014
"The EPA’s Unauthorized Usurpation of State and Tribal Water Rights: Cleaning up the Clean Water Act"
TIME: 10:00AM-1:00PM
LOCATION: Arizona State Capitol
Senate Hearing Room 1
1700 W Washington St
Phoenix, AZ 85007

BACKGROUND:
On March 25, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released a proposed rule that would assert Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction over nearly all areas with any hydrologic connection to downstream navigable waters, including man-made conveyances such as ditches. The proposed rule can be downloaded here and the corresponding study released with the rule can be downloaded here.

***UPDATE***

Participants in the Roundtable will be hosting a press conference in Conference Room A immediately following the roundtable, at 1:00 p.m.

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