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What President Trump’s Executive Order on WOTUS Means For Real Estate

February 28, 2017 (Chicago, Ill.)- Today, the Realtors Land Institute (RLI) applauds President Trump for signing an Executive Order that begins to unwind the Obama administration’s controversial Clean Water Rule. Also known as the Waters of the U.S. rule, or WOTUS, the regulation was written by the U.S. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to clarify the reach of federal regulators over wetlands and waterways under the Clean Water Act.

While the executive order cannot repeal WOTUS, which was finalized in May 2015, the Executive Order will direct EPA and the Army Corps to begin a formal review of the regulation, a likely first step to dismantling it.  Withdrawing WOTUS will have a significant impact on the real estate sector, especially land real estate.

“RLI looks forward to working with the Administration, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, when approved, to develop common-sense solutions to protecting our nation’s water resources while balancing the interests of land real estate and communities nationwide,” said Brandon Rogillo, ALC, 2017 RLI National President.

The REALTORS® Land Institute has strongly advocated for the rule to be withdrawn to eliminate the need for costly and time-consuming permits on waters that were previously unregulated by the federal government. The rule has been stayed nationwide by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals pending additional litigation and technical procedures.

The Executive Order also directs the EPA to begin a rewrite of the regulation to adhere more closely to the definition of “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act and provide a streamlined permitting process to provide clarity and certainty to the private sector while protecting the integrity of the country’s water resources.

About the REALTORS® Land Institute
The REALTORS® Land Institute, “The Voice of Land,” continually strives to maintain its status as the acknowledged leader for all matters pertaining to the land real estate profession. RLI endeavors to remain the essential membership organization for the extraordinary real estate professionals who broker, lease, sell, develop, and manage our most precious resource: the land. The REALTORS® Land Institute, provides the expertise, camaraderie, and valuable resources that are the foundation for all land real estate professionals to become the best in the business. For more information, visit rliland.com or call 800.441.5263.