Patronis Introduces Bill Streamlining Environmental Permits

Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) has introduced legislation streamlining the process of environmental approval for new construction projects.

Specifically, Rep. Patronis's Restoring Federalism in Clean Water Permitting Act requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review regulations present in Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which covers permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material into the navigable waters at specified disposal sites, so that states can have greater control over their individual environmental permitting processes.

"Florida is home to many rich ecosystems that attract millions of people from around the globe to visit our state," said Rep. Patronis in his press release, adding, "Our springs and waterways are some of the most vibrant and pristine in the world, in no small part, due to Florida's Department of Environmental Protection and water management districts working with local, state, and federal stakeholders to keep them preserved. Many states, like Florida, have the ability to conduct environmental reviews of projects and do so in a timely manner."

The Florida Congressman claimed that the Biden Administration was zealous in denying permits under Section 404, using it "to sandbag good projects."

"Reform is clearly needed as nearly half of states have expressed interest in assuming Section 404, and only three states have EPA-approved programs," Patronis continued. " With H.R. 3902, Congress will direct the Administrator to conduct a deep dive on the 404 processes, so important projects that aren't harmful to the environment can get greenlighted without having to deal with bureaucratic or judicial red tape."

In March, Patronis's colleague, Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL), introduced the Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act. This very similar bill protects the right of Florida, Michigan, and New Jersey to maintain their 404 permitting programs and opens the door for other states to establish similar systems.

Rep. Bean's bill was a response to a February 2024 court order stripping Florida's state-level equivalent of Section 404, which oversees permits for dredge or fill activities within state-assumed waters.