Thank you for holding this hearing and prioritizing discussion of our country's water.

A durable and pragmatic WOTUS rule with clear definitions, that are easily understandable and applicable across the country, ensures the public has access to clean water.

We all deserve clean water to drink, lakes where we can teach our children to swim, rivers where we can fish with family, and assurances that valuable wetlands and waters will flourish for generations to come.

The Honorable Grace F. Napolitano, Ranking Member, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives.

Manufacturers prioritize environmental stewardship and protecting our national waterways, but the EPA's current WOTUS rule leaves stakeholders confused.

The Trump "dirty water rule" eliminated Federal protections on a minimum of 75 percent of streams and wetlands.

I am excited to continue working with you to provide flood control, water quality protection, environmental restoration, and navigation for all our local communities across the country.

These are the very same waters and wetlands that are critical to capturing and storing rain and snowmelt.

The Trump Dirty Water Rule eliminated federal protections on a minimum of 75 percent of streams and wetlands.

I applaud the Biden administration for overturning the Trump 'dirty water rule' and reinstating decades-old and well-understood protections of our Nation's rivers, streams, and wetlands.

However, we believe this cost should be borne by those seeking to pollute our waterways.

We thank you for holding today's hearing, 'Stakeholder Perspectives on the Impacts of the Biden Administration's Water of the United States (WOTUS) Rule.'

We must protect and strengthen the Clean Water Act to preserve the health of our economy as well as our communities, our environment, and our water-dependent futures.

The Dirty Water Rule removed protections of the streams and wetlands that are a source of the drinking water to over 117 million Americans.

However, we believe that this cost should be borne by those seeking to pollute our waterways or fill our wetlands for their own personal gain.

Unfortunately, the recently introduced Congressional Review Act resolution to block the proposal is likely to create more uncertainty.

I appreciate all of the kindnesses you have shown me and others through the years, and it is great to see you there. Congratulations.

The Biden rule recodifies the Reagan-era framework and the use of both jurisdictional tests, but also includes significant improvements and exemptions requested by stakeholders to address legitimate concerns over uncertainty and to ease…