    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [July 12, 1995]
    [Page 1086]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Environmental Program Reforms To Assist Homeowners
    July 12, 1995

        I am pleased to announce significant reforms to the Endangered
    Species Act and Clean Water Act wetlands programs to benefit homeowners.
    Under these reforms, the vast majority of all American homeowners will
    never have to worry about endangered species or wetlands requirements.
        Specifically, for Endangered Species Act programs, the Department of
    the Interior will essentially eliminate restrictions on single family
    homeowners with five or fewer acres of land. Similarly, for wetlands
    programs, the Army Corps of Engineers will issue a new nationwide permit
    to allow homeowners to construct or expand their residences without an
    individual permit. This will apply even if these activities involve
    filling as much as a half-acre of nontidal wetland.
        Finally, I have instructed the heads of each of the relevant
    departments and agencies to examine all of their programs to determine
    if there are other actions that they can take to benefit homeowners.
        Home ownership and the opportunity for homeowners to use their
    property without unnecessary restrictions are an essential part of the
    American dream. We can provide homeowners greater freedom and still
    protect the environment. This is commonsense, reasonable reform--not a
    reckless, destructive rollback of health and environmental safeguards,
    as others are proposing.