Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) is unhappy with a recent ruling by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Florida construction projects, calling it another example of "Washington's overreach."
In 2020, Florida sought to streamline construction permitting by conducting its own environmental and wildlife protection reviews when wetlands are polluted or paved over.
Environmentalists sued, arguing that the plan violated the Endangered Species Act and other regulations.
A federal court ruled in favor of the environmentalists in February 2024.
Florida has appealed, but the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals recently struck it down as well.
"Washington's overreach is holding up housing, fire stations, and school projects," said Rep. Patronis in a recent statement, adding, "Projects that families and communities depend on every day. It's time to put power back where it belongs, with the states and the American people. We need bold, commonsense policies that get things done and put Americans first."
Moreover, Rep. Patronis highlighted the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act introduced by Representative Mike Collins (R-GA), which modifies the Clean Water Act to narrow the definition of "navigable waters" used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), cutting down onerous water regulations for construction projects.
"I'm proud to back the PERMIT Act, which will cut bureaucratic delays, speed up permitting, and ensure our communities and environment are protected without holding progress hostage," the Florida congressman added.
Last June, Patronis introduced the Restoring Federalism in Clean Water Permitting Act, a very similar bill requiring 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.
"Reform is clearly needed as nearly half of states have expressed interest in assuming Section 404, and only three states have EPA-approved programs," he previously noted.
