Our water rights at risk: MN. Jim Oberstr attempting to re-write water rights

Troubled Waters

 Posted 04/23/2010 07:07 PM ET

Regulation: Rep. James Oberstar wants to rewrite the Clean Water Act. If the Minnesota Democrat gets his way, the federal government will have even greater authority to take private property.

This isn’t Oberstar’s first attempt. In 2007 he also tried to rewrite the water bill. He and others weren’t happy with Supreme Court rulings that defined the limits Washington has over bodies of water that have no nexus to navigable waters.

They want full federal control over all waters.

Consequently, changing the law has become an obsession for Oberstar, and not a harmless one. Should his rewrite become law, property owners will pay.

Oberstar, who represents the 8th District in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, wants to strike from the Clean Water Act the word “navigable,” a restriction in the original bill based on constitutional principles that limit Washington’s regulatory reach.

Without that check, the federal apparatus will have dominion over all waters in America. Rainstorm puddles, mud holes, drainage and irrigation ditches, ponds, intermittent streams and prairie potholes on private lands. These have nothing to do with interstate commerce, but would suddenly be subject to federal rules — as would adjacent property — if the word is removed from the law.

This would be a historic expansion of federal authority and has the potential to be a gross violation of Americans’ liberty.

Farmers should be particularly concerned. The Oberstar bill gives federal regulators the power to police farming practices and to take their land through regulatory restrictions if those practices are deemed to be in violation of the law.

With the federal government already hobbling California farmers by denying them water, in large part due to the Endangered Species Act, Oberstar’s ambition is an existential threat to farms.

“Clean Water Restoration Act”/Another federal land grab

 

The Feds are after every facet of control over our lives. Here is the “Clean Water Restoration Act” which will control every puddle, lake, stream and well in the US.
Please contact Congress and tell them to leave our water alone.
JS Rugg

Also see:  Water Resotration Act is anything but  from April of 2008

___________________________________________________________________
Land Rights Network
American Land Rights Association
PO Box 400 – Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: 360-687-3087 – Fax: 360-687-2973
E-mail: alra@pacifier.com
Web Address: http://www.landrights.org

Legislative Office: 507 Seward Square SE – Washington, DC 20003

House Committee Vote Soon On Corps, EPA and Wetlands Bill

Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) Is an Even Bigger Threat To You Than CARA

Congressman James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has said he is going to change the name of his proposed Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) to some other name.  This is a common tactic. 

They are getting so much opposition from you and others that they will change the name to confuse the voters (you).  You can continue to refer to it as the Clean Water Restoration Act and the Corps, EPA and Wetlands Land Grab. 

Let there be no mistake.  The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is going to vote on the Corps, EPA and Wetlands Land Grab Bill shortly, whatever they call it.  You need to call, fax and e-mail your personal Congressman plus the Congressmen on this Committee with your opposition to the bill.  You can call any Congressman at (202) 225-3121. 

See the Committee List with phone, fax and e-mails for staff below.

The bill has already passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee as S 787.  By looking at that bill, you can get an idea of how dangerous the House Bill will be.  You must also keep the pressure on the US Senate.