Congressman Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) introduced H.R. 3902, the “Restoring Federalism in Clean Water Permitting Act,” on Thursday, a bill aimed at reducing bureaucratic hurdles in the Section 404 permitting process under the Clean Water Act.
The legislation seeks to empower states to take a more prominent role in environmental approval processes, thereby accelerating job-creating projects and supporting community development.
The core of H.R. 3902 mandates a comprehensive review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator of existing regulations related to Section 404. This review’s primary objective is to identify and implement measures that will lessen administrative burdens and actively encourage more states to assume management of their own permit programs.
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Patronis, a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I), emphasized the importance of state-led environmental stewardship.
“Florida is home to many rich ecosystems that attract millions of people from around the globe to visit our state,” Patronis stated. “Our springs and waterways are some of the most vibrant and pristine in the world, in no small part, due to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection and water management districts working with local, state, and federal stakeholders to keep them preserved.”
Patronis noted that while many states, including Florida, possess the capability to conduct timely environmental reviews, the Section 404 process has often been used to impede beneficial projects. He pointed out the stark reality that “nearly half of states have expressed interest in assuming Section 404 and only three states have EPA-approved programs,” underscoring the urgent need for reform.
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“With H.R. 3902, Congress will direct the Administrator to conduct a deep dive on the 404 processes, so important projects that aren’t harmful to the environment can get greenlighted without having to deal with bureaucratic or judicial red tape,” Congressman Patronis added.
T&I Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) lauded Congressman Patronis’s initiative, emphasizing the bill’s potential to facilitate the development of critical infrastructure.
“Congressman Patronis’ bill will encourage the EPA to make important reforms to the Section 404 permit assumption process, paving the way for more states to take the lead in issuing these critical permits, which are used in a variety of infrastructure projects—from energy projects to road construction projects to water resource projects,” Chairman Graves said. He concluded by thanking Patronis for his leadership in “restoring federalism in the Clean Water Act through common-sense reforms that empower states.”
The bill’s introduction comes amidst ongoing debates about the balance between environmental protection and economic development, with proponents arguing that empowering states can lead to more efficient and responsive permitting while maintaining high environmental standards. The “Restoring Federalism in Clean Water Permitting Act” now awaits consideration in Congress.
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