Owens Brings Transparency, Accountability to EPA Water Standards

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act, legislation to ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) follows a transparent, accountable, and science-based process when developing water quality criteria under the Clean Water Act.

“For too long, the EPA has written water standards behind closed doors, with little accountability and even less input from the families, farmers, and job creators affected by their decisions,” said Rep. Owens. “My bill restores trust in the process by requiring the EPA to engage the public, follow the law, and respect the voices of those working every day to safeguard our water. Clean water and good governance go hand in hand, and Utahns deserve both.”

“Congressman Owens’ bill increases transparency in the regulatory process, ensures that the voices of the public and the regulated community are heard in the EPA’s development of water quality guidelines, while putting in place reasonable limits on judicial reviews of rulemakings to prevent the process from getting bogged down,” said T&I Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). “I want to thank Congressman Owens for his continued leadership on this issue and for introducing his common-sense legislation.”

The Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act makes two key reforms: 

• Subjects EPA’s Section 304(a) water quality criteria to notice-and-comment rulemaking, ensuring that local communities, industries, and other stakeholders can meaningfully weigh in before new federal standards are adopted.
• Provides limited judicial review to protect against regulatory overreach and ensure EPA actions are legally sound and publicly justified.

The full legislative text is available here. 

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