Alicia Huey, chair of the National Association of Home Builders, recently expressed her support for the Supreme Court ruling that diminished federal control over water resources.
She contends previous federal powers over these resources were encroaching, and it was right to cut them back, according to her statement, released May 25.
“Today the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Sackett v. EPA that clearly redefines the scope of the Clean Water Act,” she said in the release. “The decision represents a victory against federal overreach and a win for common-sense regulations and housing affordability."
Huey noted this ruling will alter the Biden administration's broader interpretation of the Clean Water Act's Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), which includes certain isolated wetlands and streams, according to her statement.
The Clean Water Act, initially established in 1972, allowed federal jurisdiction over "navigable waters,” identified as WOTUS, according to a JDSupra article. The Act did not itself clearly define WOTUS but instead granted various organizations the authority to outline it in their regulations.
After the Supreme Court decision May 25, the interpretation of WOTUS was narrowed, ruling that wetlands fall under this category only if they exhibit a consistent surface connection to bodies already classified as "Waters of the United States," establishing a clearer boundary between waters and wetlands, the article reported.
"The court's decision is likely to have far-reaching effects, with ramifications for water quality standards and total maximum daily loads, oil spill programs, state and Tribal certification under Section 401 of the CWA, pollutant discharge permits and the regulation of discharged, dredged and/or fill material," JDSupra reported.
Huey builds custom homes in Birmingham, Ala., according to her NAHB bio. She has more than 30 years of homebuilding experience. Her extensive leadership roles include chairing several NAHB committees and serving as the president of the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders.
Additionally, Huey has been recognized for her community involvement, including her work with Habitat for Humanity, according to NAHB.
