What it could mean for Oregon small-business property owners
At 9 a.m. Pacific Time, on Tuesday, September 21 NFIB will host a free virtual briefing with U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington state to discuss a recent announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) that will undo the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR).
Congressman Newhouse is the chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a leader against more governmental permits affecting property owners. He will provide the latest information and answer questions on what it all means for Oregon small businesses.
In 2015, the Waters of the United States Rule (WOTUS) was drastically expanded to require property owners to obtain a federal permit before developing lands that are dry most of the year. This rule would have been devastating to small-business owners had not NFIB, among others, filed successful litigation and kept the pressure on policymakers.
In 2020, the NWPR replaced the Obama-era WOTUS rule. It provided clarity in federal regulation, and it allowed states to regulate local lands. Undoing the NWPR would be a step toward reinstatement and expansion of duplicative, confusing, and overreaching federal regulations and restrictions for landowners.
This is a critical issue to small business property owners and could dramatically upend your ability to develop land without expensive and time-consuming EPA permits.
- Register here for this free briefing special for NFIB members
- Click here to learn more about WOTUS
- Share your concerns here by taking a brief survey.
