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Tom Reed called the recent Sixth Circuit Court Decision to block the President's vast expansion of the Water Ways of the United States rule "a victory for land owners" and cited the impact the ruling would have on the local economy.

"I care about the rights of Private Property owners, especially our farmers," said Reed. "The Administration's attempts to regulate everything from irrigation systems to puddles of rainwater would ultimately do more harm than good for so many in our area.  I applaud the court's decision and am hopeful this ruling will encourage the Senate to act on the House's legislative proposal that would block this action once and for all."

The Sixth Circuit Court in Cincinnati ruled that the President's attempts to expand the Federal Water Ways of the United States rule was illegal as it failed to adhere to previous legal standards. The rule would have allowed waters traditionally off-limits to federal regulation to come under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency. Further, the Court's decision would allow the previous EPA standards to remain intact, making it easier for businesses to create jobs throughout Western New York.

"It was recently brought to my attention that following the President's rule change, that at least one business and roughly 75 jobs would be stopped from coming to our area," said Reed. "Stopping quality, family-sustaining jobs from coming to our area is simply unfair.  We all want clean water, but this rule does nothing to make that happen. Rather it is a vast expansion of Federal power, and makes it harder for our small businesses and family farmers to continue to stay in operation."

In addition to the ruling, Reed supported the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (H.R. 1732), earlier this year. The legislation preserves existing environmental regulations and requires the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to develop a new rule which takes into consideration all public comments as well as input from state and local governments.

Reed is the Chairman of the Private Property Rights caucus. The caucus currently has fourteen original members from eleven states ranging from Maine to California. The goal is for the caucus to raise awareness of the threats to private property rights.

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