The National Waste & Recycling Association (NW&RA) has joined more 300 trade associations and chambers from 50 states calling for the withdrawal of a proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to substantially expand federal authority over water and land uses.

The group, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in its objection, “The proposed rule is really about the agencies’ overreaching attempt to replace longstanding state and local control of land uses near water with centralized federal control. In light of the overwhelming evidence that the proposed rule would have a devastating impact on businesses, states and local governments without any real benefit to water quality, the agencies should immediately withdraw the waters of the U.S. proposal and begin again. The current proposed rule is simply too procedurally and legally flawed to repair.”

NW&RA President and CEO Sharon Kneiss stated in a news release, “Our members work daily to protect the environment by ensuring proper management of waste whether through composting, recycling or landfilling. They routinely engage in dialog with the public and educate on our environmental processes forging a bond of trust. However, these regulations make them vulnerable to unwarranted citizen suits resulting in needless expense.”

The proposed rule would expand federal jurisdiction over waters to more than 8 million river and stream miles from 3.5 million; make ditches into tributaries, which could trigger increased costly permits for routine maintenance; and expand the need for time-consuming environmental reviews for ordinary projects, among other factors.