NFIB

Bush Eases Environmental Regulation
01/15/2002

The White House today announced it will ease some Clinton-era environmental restrictions, making it easier for developers and miners to proceed without unnecessary paperwork, the New York Times reports.

While in the past developers were required to provide a one-for-one replacement of wetland acreage affected by any development, the new rules call for replacement within a broader area and ease some restrictions on flood-plane development. The new rules focus on a "no net loss" of wetlands policy enacted by former President Bush in 1989.

John Studt, chief of the regulatory branch of the Army Corps of Engineers, told the Times he is hopeful the eased guidelines will "do a better job of protecting aquatic ecosystems while simplifying some administrative burdens for the regulated public."