Arkansas Home Builders Association

In a move strongly supported by NAHB, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced today that EPA will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to solicit public input and craft a new regulation for the waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that reduces red tape, cuts overall permitting costs and lowers the cost of business in communities across the country while protecting the nation’s navigable waters from pollution. “NAHB commends the EPA for moving to make changes to the WOTUS rule that will protect our nation’s waterways and provide builders and developers the clarity and certainty they need in the federal wetlands permitting process to help house America’s citizens,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes. “Today’s action by the EPA will help alleviate federal permitting roadblocks that are exacerbating the nation’s housing affordability crisis.” EPA will also undertake a rulemaking process to revise the 2023 definition of WOTUS with a focus on clarity,...

Alicia Huey, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder and developer from Birmingham, Ala., today issued the following statement after the Senate passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval that would rescind the Biden administration’s waters of the U.S. rule: “Today’s bipartisan Senate vote to approve a resolution that would rescind the Biden administration’s waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule comes shortly after House Democrats and Republicans passed an identical measure, and sends a strong message to the administration and American people about the damaging effects of federal overreach. The Biden WOTUS rule does little to strengthen our nation’s water resources but it does radically extend the areas in which home builders are required to get federal wetlands permits by making human-made ditches and isolated ponds on private property subject to federal jurisdiction. Adding uncertainty an...

On Tuesday, the Senate failed to secure the 60 votes needed to proceed to consideration of S. 1140, legislation that would have overturned the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rulemaking. But it’s not all bad news. NAHB solidified the support of 58 Senators. Democratic Sens. Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.), along with all 54 Republican senators, voted in support of S. 1140. The Senate then took up the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution disapproving the WOTUS rule, which passed by a majority vote. Passage of the CRA would force the EPA to withdraw the rule. The Federation showed a strong, united front in responding to the call to action. Members ensured that NAHB’s voice was heard on Capitol Hill. Thousands of emails, letters, phone calls and personal appeals were made to Senate offices. “Our members’ efforts were critical to our outreach,” said NAHB...

When you wonder what the HBA can do for you; why your company should be a member, the answer is simple. Voices of a like industries; as in this example the United Farm Workers, Landowners and the National Home Builders Association come together as one strong voice and make differences. Collectively these groups worked hard to stop a new federal rule on jurisdiction of waterways. Support the industry that supports you. Join your local Home Builders Association today.

If you have a stake in home building, then you know that every day Congress makes decisions that affect the home building industry and your bottom line. When we reach out to members of Congress, we have an impact on the decisions they make. BuilderLink , NAHB’s national grassroots program, advances the housing industry by connecting members of Congress to the people who matter most – their constituents. Register now to speak up for housing and take action through CapitolConnect™, BuilderLink’s legislative activation tool .

Upcoming Webinar Provides Details on WOTUS Regulations This post was updated with information about NAHB’s comment letter on July 23. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a final rule defining “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The rule contains new regulatory definitions and terms that define the scope of federal jurisdiction and Clean Water Act permitting. As a benefit to members, NAHB is hosting a free informational webinar on July 28 at 2 p.m. EST describing the new rule and how to comply with the Clean Water Act when the regulation becomes effective on Aug. 28. EPA has not yet indicated how it plans to put these new definitions in place, and that’s one reason why NAHB CEO Jerry Howard has asked EPA officials to delay the final rule by at least three months. “To avoid unnecessary unpredictability, inconsistency, increased project costs and delays and ever ...