*Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 *

**Message to the Senate Returning Without Approval Legislation Regarding Congressional Disapproval of an Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency Rule on the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Clean Water Act **

*January 19, 2016 *

*To the Senate of the United States: *

I am returning herewith without my approval S.J. Res. 22, a resolution that would nullify a rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army to clarify the jurisdictional boundaries of the Clean Water Act. The rule, which is a product of extensive public involvement and years of work, is critical to our efforts to protect the Nation's waters and keep them clean; is responsive to calls for rulemaking from the Congress, industry, and community stakeholders; and is consistent with decisions of the United States Supreme Court.

We must protect the waters that are vital for the health of our communities and the success of our businesses, agriculture, and energy development. As I have noted before, too many of our waters have been left vulnerable. Pollution from upstream sources ends up in the rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters near which most Americans live and on which they depend for their drinking water, recreation, and economic development. Clarifying the scope of the Clean Water Act helps to protect these resources and safeguard public health. Because this resolution seeks to block the progress represented by this rule and deny businesses and communities the regulatory certainty and clarity needed to invest in projects that rely on clean water, I cannot support it. I am therefore vetoing this resolution.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House,

January 19, 2016.

*Categories:* Bill Signings and Vetoes : U.S. waters jurisdictional boundaries, legislation nullifying U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency rule, veto message*.*

*Subjects:* Army, Department of the : U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Environment : Water management policy, improvement efforts; Environmental Protection Agency.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201600024.