"We sent a strong bipartisan message that the Clean Water Act should not be transformed into a tool to expand the authority of the EPA without congressional authority."
"It would--I would say it would be in the millions of dollars and put--you know, it has the potential to put 360 to 460 small placer miners out of business."
"This rulemaking process was very rushed and, indeed, it was very rushed."
"As chair of the subcommittee, I am requesting to keep the record of this hearing open for the next 10 days for all additional written testimony from any Alaskan."
"We clearly, as Alaskans, believe in the importance of clean water."
"It's clear to me the EPA in lockstep with the Corps view it as their mission to control every human activity within the water column, from the moment the raindrop hits the earth until it diffuses into..."
"The proposed rule will not only deprive Alaska of its traditional and sovereign powers."
"Instead, we are here to talk about the proposed rule and regulations of waters that I believe Congress never intended to be jurisdictional under the act."
"I think we certainly have some of the cleanest water, the most pristine environment of any place in the world."
"I really appreciate the great testimony here. The differing views are important views."
"I do think--and I don't want to speak for all the witnesses, though--there certainly seems to be broad consensus that this rule has not done much to consider the unique circumstances of Alaska."