Statement from NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke on NWPR Ruling

Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Tampa, Fla., issued the following statement regarding a ruling on the Navigable Waters Protection Rule from the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona:

“NAHB is disappointed by the recent ruling against the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. The NWPR provides a clear definition of waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) and better enables stakeholders to discern which waters fall under federal jurisdiction. This ruling is contrary to prior federal court decisions and will lead to more confusion over what features are jurisdictional, resulting in longer delays and higher housing costs.”