Water Authority and Timely Environmental Review Act of 2025; WATER Act of 2025
Summary
The Water Authority and Timely Environmental Review Act of 2025, or WATER Act of 2025, aims to establish a Waterway Permit Section 404 Assignment program. This program allows states to assume responsibility for permitting certain waterway projects, specifically those related to highways, railroads, or public transportation. The goal is to streamline the permitting process by assigning federal responsibilities to states with the agreement of the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Expected Effects
The Act could lead to faster permitting for covered projects, potentially accelerating infrastructure development. It shifts some federal authority to states, allowing them to manage environmental reviews and permitting processes related to waterway projects. This shift could also lead to inconsistencies in environmental protection standards across different states.
Potential Benefits
- Faster permitting processes for highway, railroad, and public transportation projects.
- Increased state control and flexibility in managing waterway projects.
- Potential for reduced bureaucratic delays and costs associated with federal permitting.
- Enhanced collaboration between state and federal agencies.
- States can tailor environmental reviews to local conditions and priorities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for inconsistent environmental protection standards across different states.
- Risk of inadequate state resources or expertise to handle complex permitting processes.
- Possible weakening of federal oversight and enforcement of environmental regulations.
- Increased vulnerability to political influence at the state level.
- May lead to expedited project approvals without thorough environmental review.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's delegation of federal authority to states raises questions under the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. However, the Act requires the written agreement of both the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the EPA, suggesting a cooperative federalism approach. The Act also stipulates that states must adhere to the same procedural and substantive requirements as the federal government, which could be seen as upholding federal standards.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).