S 787 (Water Land Grab) Voting In Sept.

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To do list below. With a letter. I sent this last week, but this is a reminder to write another or SEND IT AGAIN! Keep on them. S 787 (Water Land Grab) Land Rights NetworkAmerican Land Rights AssociationPO Box 400 – Battle Ground, WA 98604Phone: 360-687-3087 – Fax: 360-687-2973E-mail: alraWeb Address: http://www.landrights.orgLegislative Office: 507 Seward Square SE – Washington, DC 20003 Your Senators May Vote On S 787 (Water Land Grab) In Sept. Do not take your Senators for granted. Call, Fax and E-mail them now. You need to contact your Senators NOW to find out when they will be back in your state over the August-September recess. Plan to go to one or more of his or her meetings to fire questions about the Clean Water Restoration Act (S 787) and urge a NO vote. Call any Senator at (202) 224-3121. S 787 is the biggest Water and Land Grab in history. The full Senate could vote on S 787 in September. You must take action. -----The Senate Committee removed the requirement that the Corps and EPA can only regulate “Navigable” waters. That means the Corps and EPA will be able to regulate “all waters of the United States.” That includes rain water and underground water even if you don’t have surface water. Congress Moves To Seize Control Of All U.S. Waters -----Do you want the Corps and EPA in your backyard? -----Do you want the EPA and Corps to control your water? -----Do you want the Corps and EPA to control all your watersheds that means all your land too? ---- That’s what will happen if the new Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) (S 787) passes Congress. See the “letter to the editor” at the bottom of this message. You should try to write a letter to the editor of any papers in your local area. Action Items: -----1. Forward this message to your entire list if possible. Forward it to no less than five other people. -----2. Call both your Senators immediately to ask for their August and September recess schedule. Call (202) 224-3121 to reach any Senators office. Be sure to ask for the staff person who handles the proposed Clean Water Restoration Act (S 787). When you speak to that person, ask for his or her e-mail address and fax number. -----3. After you call, send a message by fax or e-mail to both your Senators using that staff person’s e-mail or fax address opposing the Clean Water Restoration Act. Send a new message even if you have written before. You can write your Senator at: Honorable ______,US Senate, Washington DC., 20210. Try to fax or e-mail it as mail to Washington, DC is slowed by the Anthrax inspections. -----4. Send a copy of your letter with a cover letter to the Honorable James Inhofe, Ranking Member, Environment and Public Works Committee, US Senate, Washington, DC 20210. You can fax it to (202) 224-5167. -----5. Organize teams in your area to go to your Senators meetings to discuss the Clean Water Restoration Act (S 787). -----6. Also call your Congressman at (202) 225-3121 to tell him or her you are opposed to the Clean Water Restoration Act and urge a NO vote if it comes up in Committee or on the House Floor. So far it has no number and has not made it out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee thanks to all the calls to Congressmen by you and many others. Keep it up. Tell them this is a big issue people will remember in November, 2010. -----7. Send a letter to the editor of any newspapers in your local area. The most read section of many newspapers is the Letters to the Editor. See the real Letter to the Editor we are sending as a sample “letter to the editor” by Randy Dutton at the bottom of this e-mail. Please do not copy this letter. Write in your own words. The Clean Water Restoration Act is S 787 in the Senate. It does not have a House number yet but it will so contact your Congressman. The Clean Water Restoration Act (S 787) passed the Senate EPW Committee that failed to hold hearings in this Congress. You can still ask your Senators and the Senators on the Committee to hold hearings. Ask them how they could vote on a bill without holding public hearings. You must deluge both your Senators with calls, letters, e-mails and faxes. Call your friends in other states and have them call their Senators to oppose S 787. This is a monster land grab. Background: Last year, (2008) James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation And Infrastructure Committee held a hearing on his proposed Clean Water Restoration Act. Because of your letters, phone calls, faxes and e-mails, he failed to get his draft bill out of Committee. You can have the same success now if you rise up and make sure your Congressman listed above hears from you and everyone you know about how bad the Clean Water Restoration Act is. Thursday, June 18, 2009 the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed S 787 as the Baucus- Klobuchar Substitute by a strictly party line vote of 12 Democrats to 7 Republicans. -----The Committee voted to take out the limitation in the Clean Water Act requiring the Corps of Engineers (Corps) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate only “navigable” waters. -----The modified version of S 787 gives the Corps and EPA the authority to regulate “all waters of the United States.” The Committee tried a trick by taking out the reference to “all activities affecting these waters” but everyone agrees that because of terminology elsewhere in the bill, the courts will still rule that the Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency will have the authority to regulate all activities affecting all waters of the United States. -----The EPW Committee voted to overturn the Rapanos and SWANCC Supreme Court Decisions of 2006 and 2001 that required the Corps and EPA to only regulate “Navigable” waters. -----As passed, “the term ‘waters of the United States’ means all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, and natural ponds, all tributaries of any of the above waters, and all impoundments of the forgoing.’ You can see the full markup (vote) (called a Business Meeting) by going to the Senate Environment and Public Works website at http://epw.senate.gov/ . Look for the Committee Business Meeting on June 18th. Below is a one page release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association that is very much worth your read. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -From the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association after the Senate EPW Committee voted on is version of the Clean Water Restoration Act. NCBA: Cattlemen Speak Out On Clean Water Act Land Grab WASHINGTON (June 18, 2009) – The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee passed S. 787, the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) out of committee today on a party-line vote, bringing the country one step closer to the largest federal land grab in our history. The bill was amended at the markup by Senators Baucus, Klobuchar, and Boxer. The amendment Under current law, the federal government has jurisdiction over "navigable waters of the United States." However, by removing the word "navigable" from the definition, the CWRA would expand federal regulatory control to unprecedented levels - essentially putting stock tanks, drainage ditches, any puddle or water feature found on family farms and ranches—potentially even ground water—under the regulatory strong-arm of the federal government. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) strongly oppose this legislation, not only because it infringes on private property rights, but also because it limits the state partnerships and flexibility that have made the current Clean Water Act so successful. Cattle producers across the country are asking the Senate to stop this legislation should it come up for a full Senate vote. In a letter sent to the EPW Committee, Reid Blossom of Alabama writes, “This dangerous legislation would open a floodgate of unintended consequences as federal jurisdiction would be granted to monitor and regulate all bodies of water. This means stock tanks, farm ponds, irrigation pools, and more would be subject to federal regulation and oversight. Surely this is not the intention of the bill but it is also certain to be the outcome if its passage becomes a reality. “As cattlemen, my family protects the water on our land. We do so not because we’re made to by the federal or state government but because we take pride in stewardship. Just as we care for our animals, we care for our environment to see that it too is passed down in a pure state from generation to generation. Additional oversight and regulation by the federal government will only serve to hinder this progression among America’s farming and ranching families.” Heather Gessner of South Dakota explains, “As a cattleman in South Dakota, I value water quality for my livestock and my family and I feel that…other bills that are currently in place effectively provide for the regulation and enforcement of public water ways that are utilized for human and animal consumption.” Jason McCann of Missouri writes, “As a cattleman in Southwest Missouri, we are blessed with an average of 44 inches of rain per year. And while this is great for growing grass, growing cattle and filling ponds, it could be a detriment if the mark up strikes the word navigable from the Clean Water statutes. “You see, our part of the country has months where 6 inches of rain is not uncommon. That much rain makes for many 'wet weather' creeks which only run in the wetter parts of the year. If ‘navigable’ is removed, the small swale across my pasture which carries water to the creek will fall under the regulatory power of the EPA. The requisite permitting and usage restrictions would debilitate my ability to provide protein for a hungry America and a hungry world. “The federal government has no business taking away my rights, or any cattlemen’s private property rights by regulating non-navigable water. Focus instead on enforcement of existing law. Adding more legislation is not the solution.” Charles Hord of Tennessee writes, “Nothing in the bill addresses the fact that both the [baucus-Klobuchar-Boxer] amendment and S 787 as introduced would give federal regulators (and those who would use citizen suits to challenge an activity) the right to control private property. Moreover, by leaving the basic structure of S. 787 in place, Federal and state permitting programs will grind to a halt under the permitting burden created by these amendments to the Clean Water Act.” Tom Shipley of Iowa explains, “No amendments will solve the problem with this legislation—it would give federal regulators the right to control private property. It would never accomplish what private citizens are doing already at no cost to taxpayers. This act would actually hamper the government’s ability to maintain clean waters as there is already a backlog of permit requests.” End of NCBA release.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - More Background: -----Besides private property, the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) (S 787) threatens businesses, agriculture, small communities, grazing, forestry, mining and many other uses on private and Federal land. It will affect many kinds of manufacturing companies and businesses. -----The Real Goal of the Clean Water Restoration Act (S787) is to give Corps and EPA Control over your water and all your watersheds. That means National Land Use Controls as well as control over all your water and land. That’s because all land is in a watershed. The proposed Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) (S787), which has no House bill number yet, will give the Corps and EPA jurisdiction and control over your property and water. -----It will redefine what the term “wetlands” means in the law. It will eliminate the requirement that the Corps and EPA limit their jurisdiction to “Navigable” waters and give those agencies control over all waters of the US and “activities” affecting those waters. The Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) will be introduced in the House shortly. ----- Maps showing existing Clean Water Act affected areas compared to the areas affected if the CWRA (Clean Water Restoration Act) if S 787 were to pass Congress are right on our homepage at www.landrights.org. Read it in their own words. The Oberstar staff White Paper is published on our Website, www.landrights.org. ALRA has published an Executive Summary and Analysis of the Oberstar Staff White Paper written by our associate Don Parmeter of the National Water Conservation Alliance. You’ll see in their own words what the Democrats plan is to control your land. Go to www.landrights.org. ------In the White Paper on the Clean Water Act you’ll see how Rep. James Oberstar, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee want to give the power and jurisdiction to the Corps of Engineers and EPA to control all the watersheds in the United States. All land is in a watershed. -----It became clear what Oberstar is really up to at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Hearing on Oberstar’s Clean Water Act Wetlands Land Grab Bill, the Clean Water Restoration Act at a hearing last year. -----Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) made it clear at the hearing that he plans to overturn the Rapanos and SWANCC Supreme Court Decisions of 2006 and 2001. S 787 now says that. -----That would give the Corps of Engineers and EPA jurisdiction over nearly all private and Federal land. The Supreme Court limited that jurisdiction in the two Supreme Court decisions. Look at the two maps for comparison of how the Clean Water Restoration Act affects the country at www.landrights.org. Your help is greatly appreciated. Chuck CushmanExecutive DirectorAmerican Land Rights Association(360) 687-3087ccushman “Letter To The Editor” by Randy Dutton. National Water Grab Another assault is coming from Washington DC that will usurp your land use rights, drive up food and construction costs, reduce land value, destroy jobs, and further erode our standard of living. Senate Bill 787, titled the Clean Water Restoration Act, gives virtually unlimited authority to the EPA and Corps of Engineers over ALL surface water including seasonal streams. Not only does it reduce states’ rights and local authority, this Bill is another attack on rural America and disproportionately affects Grays Harbor County because of our significant water resources. Adversely affected are homebuilders, logging, ranchers, farmers, highways, airports, recreation, fishing, and more. The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee passed S. 787, the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) out of committee on June 18th, on a party-line vote, bringing the country one step closer to the largest federal land grab in our history. You can research more by searching on S 787 at http://epw.senate.gov. If you value the future of your family, you must get involved. Whether this Bill passes a full Senate vote is unknown. What is known is that progressives in Washington DC and in state legislatures will continue to attack citizens’ rights until the progressives have changed our nation from a country of rights guaranteed by the Constitution, to a centrist managed socialist state, something history has proven fails every time. Randy DuttonMontesano, WA “Randy posts these letters at his blog on the GHGOP.org website at http://www.ghgop.org/conservativevoice/ConservativeBlogs/tabid/59/Default.aspx” If you wish to , reply to this e-mail with “” in the subject line. If you know of others who would like to receive these alerts, reply with their e-mail addresses. Please forward this message as widely as possible. It is incredibly important for you to forward this message. By forwarding the message, you can help get millions of copies of this critically important e-mail distributed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Senator , I VEHEMENTLY PROTEST S 787: The Clean Water Restoration Act may be the biggest threat to property rights and local control yet devised by Congress. The bill was amended at the markup by Senators Baucus, Klobuchar, and Boxer. The amendment Under current law, the federal government has jurisdiction over "navigable waters of the United States." However, by removing the word "navigable" from the definition, the CWRA would expand federal regulatory control to unprecedented levels - essentially putting stock tanks, drainage ditches, any puddle or water feature found on family farms and ranches—potentially even ground water—under the regulatory strong-arm of the federal government. This bill would overturn two U.S. Supreme Court decisions that favored landowners and local government. The Rapanos and SWANCC Supreme Court Decisions of 2006 and 2001. The CWRA would give federal agencies, the Corps of Engineers and EPA in particular, almost unlimited control over my land, my water and that of all your neighbors. Reed Hopper, lead attorney in the latest Supreme Court victory for landowners said “…..this bill pushes the limit of federal power to an extreme not matched by any other law, probably in the history of this country.” The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) strongly oppose this legislation, not only because it infringes on private property rights, but also because it limits the state partnerships and flexibility that have made the current Clean Water Act so successful. I am constantly amazed at how our government tries to take over and control more and more of our rights and freedoms. We have a right to our property, and YOU don’t. DO NOT pass this WILDLY overreaching bill. Sincerely, Name